Cycling: Lance Armstrong Comeback In Adelaide
January 18th 2009 07:24
Lance Armstrong finished safely in the pack at the Cancer Council Classic in Adelaide, at thestart of his much anticipated return to professional cycling.
Lance Armstrong started his much anticipated professional cycling comeback on Sunday night, finishing safely in the pack in the Cancer Council Classic in Adelaide.
Australian star Robbie McEwen won the sprint finish to take out the 50km criterium held on a street circuit just outside Adelaide CBD, but all eyes were on Armstrong, the record seven-time Tour de France champion and cancer survivor, who attracted an estimated crowd of 138,000 spectators.
The classic is a precursor to the six-day Tour Down Under, which starts on Tuesday, and Armstrong's presence has created unprecedented spectator and media interest in the race.
"It's fun to get back in there," said Armstrong, who had looked nervous before the start and was keen to stay out of trouble during the race.
"I found it a little safer and easier in the back."
Armstrong said the criterium format was not his usual style of racing, and the night was more about rediscovering competition after a three-year absence.
"It felt good," Armstrong said.
"I have trained a lot for this comeback and this race.
"I am glad the first day is over and we can now get into the races."
Armstrong's Astana team manager, Johan Bruyneel, the man who engineered his seven Tour wins, said the Classic marked a significant moment for the texan.
"Finally he can put that number on his back and do a race, he is a racer again," Bruyneel said.
"He is not a guy who is training for a comeback, it was an important moment."
The race also represented a big moment for McEwen, racing for the first time with his new team, Katusha.
"I love a crowd and it was a great day out, my first day out with my new team," he said.
Lance Armstrong started his much anticipated professional cycling comeback on Sunday night, finishing safely in the pack in the Cancer Council Classic in Adelaide.
Australian star Robbie McEwen won the sprint finish to take out the 50km criterium held on a street circuit just outside Adelaide CBD, but all eyes were on Armstrong, the record seven-time Tour de France champion and cancer survivor, who attracted an estimated crowd of 138,000 spectators.
The classic is a precursor to the six-day Tour Down Under, which starts on Tuesday, and Armstrong's presence has created unprecedented spectator and media interest in the race.
"It's fun to get back in there," said Armstrong, who had looked nervous before the start and was keen to stay out of trouble during the race.
"I found it a little safer and easier in the back."
Armstrong said the criterium format was not his usual style of racing, and the night was more about rediscovering competition after a three-year absence.
"It felt good," Armstrong said.
"I have trained a lot for this comeback and this race.
"I am glad the first day is over and we can now get into the races."
Armstrong's Astana team manager, Johan Bruyneel, the man who engineered his seven Tour wins, said the Classic marked a significant moment for the texan.
"Finally he can put that number on his back and do a race, he is a racer again," Bruyneel said.
"He is not a guy who is training for a comeback, it was an important moment."
The race also represented a big moment for McEwen, racing for the first time with his new team, Katusha.
"I love a crowd and it was a great day out, my first day out with my new team," he said.
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