Will Armstrong Ride Strong?

  So tomorrow Lance Armstrong will be again mounting the saddle and partaking in the 2009 Tour de France.  This tour is the most grueling race every year and it seems immortal for one man to win this particular race seven times in a row.  By achieving this feat, Lance has launched himself as an icon in the cycling realm and world of sports.  In my opinion, what makes his numbers of wins even more astonishing is the mere fact that he is also a stage 4 cancer survivor.

  But being out of the circuit for so long people begin to wonder how he will do and if he has any gas left in his tank.  Another aspect is that he may not be the leading favorite on his team Astana to win the race.  Lance stated that he will back up Alberto Contador and Levi Leipheimer if they prove to be better riders than him.  However, I feel that Lance's desire to win it himself still resides within him and if given the chance he'll definitely pounce upon it.

  In 2005, Lance stated that there would not be a number 8, but no one really knows if that will ever be true.  It's interesting though, many greats across the world of sports that made their marks, retired, and suddenly, decided to come back somewhat tarnished their legacy in my opinion.  Look at Jordan, Favre, and now....Lance?  The world will see how this guy does this weekend, but I know I will be cheering him on.

photograph by: Guillame Horcajuelo/EPA