'Lance Armstrong back in the Tour de France' was stated in different news papers last week. Say what?! Don't worry, the American just plans to join former footballer Geoff Thomas in 'Le Tour-One Day Ahead'-event to raise awareness and money for the cancer fight. When I heard the news, my first thought was that it was a great thing. Lance finally found something good to do. When they fired him from his Livestrong, he was hurt. People seem to forget that he still is the man who raised billions in the fight against cancer and that the disease is still something close to his heart. So when Thomas asked him, I don't think he needed a lot time to consider the offer. This is something he had to do. For him but even more for the cancer community. But of course most cycling-minded people reacted a little bit different to this news. Armstrong riding on the roads of the Tour de France? “Completely inappropriate” and “very disrespectful”. I can understand that the organisation of the Tour would like to keep Armstrong as far away as possible but hey, he's still a free man (kind of). They don't mind him taking part in a charity ride but why does it have to be the one linked to the Tour? Well, because Thomas started the ride inspired by Armstrong, who was at that time dominating the race. The idea of the ride is what it is, why change it to please the UCI?
And no, I'm not stupid enough to think Thomas didn't thought of the media impact this invitation would have. He knew very well that the news of Armstrong joining the ride would make the news and that if Lance is on the bike in July, many people will come and watch him. And donate. I would lie if I said I don't consider going myself. But there is one thing Thomas and the rest of the organisation has to watch out for: this is not the 'Lance Armstrong Support Ride'. Of course fans of the American will make their way down to support their hero and see him on the bike again. But keep the focus, for once it's not about Lance, it's about fighting cancer. And who's better to support that than the man who dedicated years of his life to the fight. Yes, also that is Lance Armstrong.
Catya Leroux
