Lance Armstrong Tells Vanity Fair of Tour de France Comeback
Lance Armstrong told Vanity Fair in an exclusive interview that he plans to come out of retirement and race in next year’s Tour de France. How cool is that? He won 7 consecutive Tours. A win in 2009 will give him 8 victories.
Lance, of course, is a single dad. And he was raised by a single mom. More on his single-parentness in a sec.
Why is he coming back? The Vanity Fair piece says that while competing in a Colorado mountain bike race, he had a primal sort of realization that he needed to ride again in the Tour de France. His goal is to win it, of course. He’s already training – doing core stuff, power stuff, “changing shit up”.
Lance Armstrong staging a comeback sounds awesome. I’m a big fan of cycling. I ride my Bianchi road bike as much as possible. I watch three-week-long stage races on Tivo like the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia. I enjoy the classics like the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix. My kids and I have twice attended the Tour of California, scoring some cool autographs from international cyclists like Levi Leipheimer, Christian Vandevelde, and Big Jens Voigt.
One really cool thing about the Vanity Fair interview was the glimpse it gave of Lance and his relationship to his ex-wife, Kristin Armstrong. (Kristin authors the blog Mile Markers for Runner’s World. I like her writing as it often shows nice self-awareness.) They live near each other in Austin. They both spend time with the kids. She was one of the first two people he told of his comeback attempt, along with his mom, Linda Armstrong Kelly.
While the interviewer was dining with Lance, getting the skinny on this comeback attempt, Lance received a text message from Kristin and took a moment to write her back. As he explained, “my ex-wife is a very important lady to me. She is somebody I’m very close to.”
I know that feeling – my ex and I communicate every single day. We email and phone about all things co-parenting related. Our kids are our number one priority, and we respect and appreciate each other’s roles in our children’s lives. Even divorced, we’re in this child-rearing thing together.
From one divorced single dad to another, I wish Lance Armstrong the best of luck in his comeback attempt. Go kick some ass. Win the Tour de France in 2009!
Vive le Tour.
Lance Armstrong gratuitous flesh by Annie Leibovitz for Vanity Fair.
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Comment by SingleParentDad
| September 10th, 2008
Go Lance.
Endurance sports have always elluded me. I did a charity bike ride earlier this year from London to Brighton, about 70 miles in total. It nearly did me in, the real cyclists breezed it and were cycling the route back before I was even half way.
R-e-s-p-e-c-t.
Sounds like he, and you, have great relationships with your childrens’ mothers. Brilliant.
It is a small mercy for me that I don’t have to manage a relationship with someone I’m no longer with.
SingleParentDad’s last blog post..Checkpoint 3.5
Comment by mama llama
| September 10th, 2008
One salient and positive detail about your blog is your emphasis on the creation of a good working relationship with the ex-spouse. You consistently show true examples, not only personal but also of people whose names we know from pop culture or the news, and that creates in me the feeling that it is, indeed, possible–both parties willing–to come together and co-parent…and not live a life of hate, which is what I always saw with divorce among extended family and friends when I was younger.
On a different note…would riding ‘calato’ not just KILL a man? All I could think when I saw that picture was “owwwwch”.
Be well.
mama llama’s last blog post..noise
Comment by debra
| September 10th, 2008
okay…I’ll contribute something more meaningful on the topic of the relationship with the ex a little later…after I catch my breath! Thanks for the picture DH!! :-)
Comment by Kitkat4real (SOLO dot MOM)
| September 10th, 2008
Interesting relationship with the Ex…. maybe someday… I can say the same…. maybe :)
Kitkat4real (SOLO dot MOM)’s last blog post..Love takes Time…. HOW MUCH TIME?
Comment by The Exception
| September 10th, 2008
Two thoughts – Let’s see a picture of you in such a pose! ;)
Have you been to France to watch any of the stages? Ever consider going? Sounds like 2009 might be a year to go!
I too enjoy the thoughts and experiences you have expressed regarding working with your former spouse. It is nice to know that such relationships are possible.
The Exception’s last blog post..A man in a Uniform
Comment by T
| September 10th, 2008
Wha?!!? Huh?!?!? *wipes away drool*
Damn, DH. I can’t even think straight after seeing this photo. You know how I love athletic bodies. Kudos to you for posting such a beautiful photo, of a man no less, on your blog. You are one seriously cool dude.
Hooray for Lance. I heard this news yesterday or the day before. I think its wonderful and I look forward to watching the Tour again next year.
And yes, I agree with the above commenters…. Thanks for pointing out that such co-parenting relationships are possible. You and I are both fortunate in that matter. And I do think its possible in every relationship, as long as two mature adults can keep their crap out of the way and keep the kids in mind first.
Wonderful post. And extremely distracting! ;)
T’s last blog post..Can Mommy catch a break?
Comment by debra
| September 10th, 2008
When I first got divorced, I had a very difficult time that I still had to have contact on a daily basis with the ex. In every other relationship (pre children), when you broke up, you went your separate ways and could effectively avoid the other person indefinitely. Not so when you are co-parenting. At some point, if you’re very lucky, and commit to it being an important part of your child’s experience with both parents, you make the communication work. And, sometimes, if you’re very, very lucky, and after some time passes, you even learn to be ‘friends’ with the ex again.
There is another single Dad blogger who has recently discovered he has skin cancer. His ex wife is spearheading his medical tests, appointments and treatment. I think that is a pretty rare relationship, I’d like to think I’d have the strength to do this for my ex, but I’m not sure I would.
I am very lucky in my relationship with my ex, this past weekend my son orchestrated a wonderful birthday celebration for me including breakfast in bed, flowers and balloons. My son is 7. He asked his father to do this for him, and bless my ex’s heart, he did it.
When I think about it, this is a man that I was head over heals in love with at one point in my life. He’s my son’s father, and will be a part of my life for the rest of my life. He is always going to be important to me. I can choose to be difficult and distant and demanding in my dealings with him, or I can, as I have done, choose to find a way to have a peaceful friendship with him and his fiancé. It makes my life less stressful, and I think teaches my son a pretty important lesson.
Sorry for rambling DH, a topic I’ve given a lot of thought lately!
Comment by The Exception
| September 10th, 2008
Debra – Thanks for sharing your story. It sounds as if you are working hard with your child at heart. What a wonderful birthday experience for you and for your son – to be able to count on his dad, turn to his dad, and do that for you. My daughter is currently trying to work with her dad to play something for my birthday. I hope that it works out as well as yours did!
The Exception’s last blog post..If You Change Your Mind…
Comment by Lance
| September 10th, 2008
Lance Armstrong returning is the best thing to happen the Tour and US cycling. We haven’t exactly had a stellar rep on the doping issue since his retirement. Lance racing would bring in loads more cash for the LAF, raise cancer awareness (again), set a new standard for drug testing, and bring in pub for the Tour with the American audience. I’m all about this
The Vanity Fair article is terrific and it illustrates the great relationship he has with his ex. Otherwise, I don’t really follow his dating life, but I imagine it’s as insane as any other mega-celebrity.
Lance’s last blog post..Questions for Lance and Eathan on IDW Radio?
Comment by Single Mom Seeking
| September 10th, 2008
I got stuck on that photo for a while… and finally read the post.
Now I just went back and read “T”’s comment. Amen. I hear you.
Single Mom Seeking’s last blog post..I ran into my first-ever boyfriend at Trader Joe’s, two decades later…
Comment by dadshouse
| September 10th, 2008
I have to admit, when I read Lance’s book, “It’s Not About the Bike”, I had a hard time with his big ego. Probably because I used to have a huge ego when I did engineering work. (I was as good at that as Lance was at cycling… )
But reading the Vanity Fair article gave me a different glimpse of him as a dad and co-parent. They didn’t say tons about that part of his life, but there was enough there to make me know he’s definitely not a deadbeat. I like that he and his ex keep things positive and still rely on each other for support. My ex has definitely been there for me in a pinch. Good co-parenting really can work.
Glad my female readers liked the pic. Nothing beats gratuituous flesh. Now it’s your turn to put Shakira up on your blog! Haha
Comment by Honey
| September 10th, 2008
I have a friend whose whole family is really into cycling, and they all hate Lance and say he is a total douche. Even if my opinion of him weren’t colored by this, him coming out of retirement seems like an obvious ploy for attention from a megalomaniac who, unfortunately for his personality, actually is as good as he thinks he is.
Comment by T
| September 10th, 2008
Dad…
I love me some Shakira too!! :)
T’s last blog post..Can Mommy catch a break?
Comment by Mad Cartoonist
| September 10th, 2008
Lance, please, no!
Doesn’t he have anything else to do? It’s like he’s stalking his former sport!
Give it up, man, you’ve been there, you did it, now move on.
Comment by justrun
| September 10th, 2008
People on the radio this morning were actually questioning Lance’s fathering priorities because of his decision to come back. Which I think is ridiculous because I don’t think they’d give the same scrutiny to Brett Farve or Michael Jordan or… the list could go on.
Ego or not, Lance has a lot of power in exposure (in the world of cancer research). I say use it in all the ways he can.
Comment by kare-kare
| September 10th, 2008
Of course I HAD to come and peek!
I like it, nice.
kare-kare’s last blog post..Okay, I should so NOT be here
Comment by Lance
| September 10th, 2008
Dude, I can’t believe people are hating on Lance Armstrong. He may have a massive ego, but he’s one of the best athletes in history. He’s a living legend, and the opportunity to see a living legend ply his trade is an honor and privilege. AND, he’s raised over $250 million for cancer…that alone entitles him to do whatever he wants. Another shot at a Le Tour? Why not…at the very least, he’s giving publicity to “older” athletes who aren’t supposed to be able to win this type of race and he’s raising money for cancer research.
Also, Lance’s personality is tied to his success as a businessman and a competitor. Without that ego, he wouldn’t have done everything he’s done. I have nothing but respect and admiration for a true badass.
Comment by Jim Everson
| September 18th, 2008
I’m with the comment from Lance above. I am currently in the middle of “Its Not About The Bike” and have nothing but respect for what the guy has accomplished. The ego bashing reminds me a bit of what I read online about Steve Jobs, i.e., He’s a douce, has a big ego, is a jerk, etc. But what the hell? These guys have achieved enormous success. The world is a better place because of what they have put in it. I’ll be rooting for Lance in the next Tour.
And “right on” to Dad’s House for having a good working parenting relationship with his ex. I’m right there with his priorities about keeping it positive for the children. I am currently working on achieving the same thing with my ex and so far it is working. The children are happy and benefit from seeing their mom and dad work together on life, even if it is from two separate homes.
Jim Everson’s last blog post..My Secrets Are Safe
Comment by mIWO
| September 22nd, 2008
Armstrong is going to abandon his kids, AGAIN, so he can ride his little bicycle around europe. THis guy is all EGO and no brains, or heart. I hope he fails and FINALLY gets caught as the doper we all know he is!
Comment by HateThePlayer
| November 19th, 2008
Lance Armstrong is a douche! Yes, I said it. Here are three reasons why:
http://hatetheplayer.wordpress.com/2008/11/05/lance-armstrong-is-a-douche-especially-on-twitter/
HateThePlayer´s last blog post..Lance Armstrong is a Douche (especially on Twitter)