The Re-Emergence of Lance Armstrong

Well, Lance is back at it again. Lance who? Of course,a video crew to chronicle his training for 2009 every
none other than the venerable Lance Armstrong whostep of the way as he mounts his comeback. This
is the cycling worlds' equivalent of Michael Jordan.video chronicalization is supposed to also make record
Lance is to bicycles what Dale Ernhardt is to raceof his drug test, of which some say really contributes
cars.to his possible guilt. Clean or not, it is going to be
Why the re-emergence? According to the 36 year oldinteresting to see just how far Lance can take this and
Armstrong in a formal statement Armstrong based hisfor whatever reason he is doing this, more power to
decision to return to competition cycling as an effort tohim.
revitalize global awareness to fight cancer. But surely itAnother point that needs to be considered is what the
is not just about making people aware of cancer; whatcompetition thinks about Lance returning. Admittedly,
about money and placing yourself back into thethe sport has been very lackluster without his
international limelight that you relished in for so long.involvement and outside of the French and real cycling
After winning seven races at the Tour de Franceenthusiasts who really thinks about competition
what, in all actuality, will winning your eighth actuallycycling? If I were one of the riders riding against Lance
accomplish? Personal satisfaction? Whetting theI would have cause to fear, in light of Lance's fierce
competitive appetite? It is rumored around the cyclingcompetitive spirit, however, there is no way I would
circles that Lance will be receiving a nice chunk ofallow a soon to be 37 year old to beat me when I am
change from Trek Bikes for either riding a bikeat the pinnacle of my performance.
designed by them or through some other sponsorshipBy the same token, isn't there another way that Lance
endorsement arrangement.can make people more aware of cancer? Even
There are also the voices that attribute Lance's returnthough Lance is to cycling what Jordan is to basketball,
as a way to "silence" the critics of his allegedI would likewise hate to see Lance go out like Jordan:
performance enhancing substance use. Of course,falling off of his bicycle and bringing up the rear in
Lance and his proponents have vehemently deniedraces like Jordan was getting dunked on and being
that Lance has ever used such substances but theresubjected to ankle-breaking cross overs. Please
allegedly is substantial proof that was never allowed toLance, take a page out of John Elways' book - Go
come to life that he did. in fact, partake in some typeOut On Top!
of banned substance. Lance has also allegedly hired a