There is no question that Lance Armstrong’s return to the professional peloton has not only been noticed by the cycling community but by the world. It seems that most are welcoming Lance back, however, a vocal minority claim Lance’s return hurts the sport of cycling. That Lance is returning to feed his ego and that he mocks the sport with his very presence. To be honest I am at a loss to understand how anyone can interpret Lance’s comeback as being hurtful to the sport of cycling. The sport of cycling has never had a bigger profile. Millions of people are taking notice, buying bikes, riding more or even riding for the first time all because of Lance and his story.
The critics say Lance is returning to serve his own ego, that he is a cheater, that he is greedy.
Lance had explained that his return to cycling was motivated by his desire to elevate the global profile of the fight against cancer and I have seen little evidence to contradict this claim. Lance has used his comeback to solicit government funding and bring a personal face to cancer, often dedicating his rides. Even if he did returning to serve his own ego, how does Lance’s ego hurt cycling?
The professional peloton has not given Lance a free pass based on his historic results. He has proven he is still a competitive professional and a committed team rider.
I have read that Lance is mocking the sport by continuing to cheat (using performance enhancing drugs). Has Lance ever tested positive for anything? Was Lance not tested almost 30 times this season? Did Lance not make his test results public? What more can he do? Until Lance tests positive for any performance enhancing drugs this argument makes no sense. How can unproven, speculative cheating mock the sport of cycling?
Greed may be part of the reason for his return, it’s difficult to tell for sure. We have heard that Lance is riding for free, although I doubt he is turning down sponsorship dollars. Why do we care how much money Lance is making. The world is willing to accept 50 million dollar baseball contracts for steroid filled, overweight, egotistical, rap star wannabes to stand around an open field all summer long waiting for a ball to drop. Are we really passing judgment on Lance for benefitting from his fame? Is he not using his celebrity to benefit other? Why do we care if he also benefits?
For all you club cyclists out there spewing criticism on your weekly group rides I pass along my heartfelt sympathy. I feel sorry that you are not able to believe that someone may actually be contributing positively. Maybe Lance does turn out to be a fraud, but the fact that you are not willing to believe in the possibility that he is acting to benefit others, that he does sacrifice for the greater good, that he is a medical miracle, makes me sad for you. Myself I would rather look like a fool for believing then say I told you so.
