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Lance for Senate?
Can you talk about the team dynamics?
It’s an interesting dynamic. It’s a very international team. It’s by far strongest team in the world. Also has the best stage racer in the world on it [Alberto Contador]. So my return, although it made a lot of sense to me and to Johan because of our loyalty to each other, was a little surprising to a great rider like Contador who didn’t expect to be in this position. It’s going to require some discussion and some balance. But I’m committed to riding and following the rules of cycling and supporting the strongest rider. Whoever Johan thinks that is, I’ll follow team orders.
Is this the strongest team you’ve ever ridden with?
I think so.
There are like four guys who could win the Tour, right?
Right. That’s why I say that. We have five riders that have been top five in the tour (Armstrong, Contador, Andreas Kloden, Levi Leipheimer, Haimar Zubeldia).
So, theoretically, any five of those could win the Tour?
Theoretically any of them could be very close. And I think more realistically than theoretically, you could perhaps put three guys on the podium if you did it right.
Be pretty exciting.
Be exciting for us. Not exciting for the race [laughing]. But exciting for us.
What’s it like riding for the Kazakhstan team—very different?
Honestly, I don’t pay that much attention to it. It is certainly a very international team, funded and supported by the Kazakhs. I’m on the team and part of the program because of Johan and because of the mission. So for me, while I’ll race every race this year for Astana, I really consider myself part of team LIVESTRONG. So that’s why you see all training footage and all training shots. I’m in LIVESTRONG gear because that quite frankly is the real reason I’m doing it.
What drives your competitive nature?
Fear of failure.
Is it possible you could you race beyond 2009?
I don’t want to limit it. It would be a little irrational to announce or even think about it now, because I haven’t even started to racing this year yet. But it’s entered my mind. I’m having fun right now and feeling strong and healthy. I certainly don’t want to limit it to one year. But it could be one, it could be two. But later on even after the cycling comeback, I’d like to conquer some other endurance goals that I’ve had for a long time.
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Bulldoglover100
Give me a break. The guy rides a bike. The last thing we need is another person taking a public position simply to keep that all important attention they have come to need.
Go away lance and leave the running of this country to those who are educated to do so. Your not.
Bulldoglover100
Hey Mark...ya still in grade school buddy? Removing any comments that you don't like? LOL Grow up or go back to work at Burger King
theswordsman
Thanks for the interview, Mark. I have a small-time blog where I basically sort through all the news out there about Lance and post the positive stuff regarding training, preparation and racing. Most "news stories" lately look like someone took a safety scissors and Elmers Glue and visited Lance's twitter account. Your getting the quote about Astana possible filling the podium at the Tour de France was huge.
pourmecoffee
Now I know why he loves bike riding so much. The crouch allows him to more easily gaze at his navel.
trisha08
Sorry. But I don't believe that he is riding again for the foundation. He is riding again because he is an egomaniac and can't stand being out of the spotlight. Plain and simple. He could take the LIveStrong foundation global without riding the Tour. Now, he wants to save the world by entering politics. He is an athlete not a savior.
davidjohnston
I enjoyed this timely, well-rounded piece. With Lance, it's hard to separate the man, the athlete and his cause. This interview hits right at the intersection of all three.
Sacchoromyces
So on the one hand I'm glad to see him back in the saddle. His return is good for cycling in the U.S. Political ambitions? Cool. I'm of the opinion that people that groom there entire career toward Washington, DC are less prepared to lead the country than someone that may have actually accomplished something.
His foundation could be promoted and served just as well had he never come back to road racing. Thought he'd do more off-road racing. Leadville is only one endurance race. I'd love to have seen him in the Great Divide Race, or Trans Alps...
Flahute75
Lance would make an excellent politician - he's a brutal competitor, and knows how to win. Pro cycling is best defined as "Boxing meets horse racing" - which gives Lance a knowledge of how rough human behavior can be and how to handle it - a trait I deeply admire in our president-elect with his Chicago experience. At the same time, Lance's passion for cancer work is genuine - he does visit kids cancer wards in hospitals without a lot of fanfare and accompanying PR hacks. He has done enormous things for the cancer community, in terms of moral support/encouragement political presence and in delivering pure hard cash. Never make the mistake of underestimating Lance or counting him out. Never, ever works. Besides, If Schwartzenegger can be a Gov....
writerforhire
First, I would race until, I guess, I came in second. When you are on a winning streak there is no reason to stop. Secondly, (SHOCK!) I would take LIVESTRONG globally through LinkedIn or other social and professional networking sites as the Pickens Plan has group representation on LinkedIn. It may already be "a group" I've just haven't seen it. As far as politics, if Al Franken can win then anyone can. (That's a compliment.)
JABMICH
I'm not interested in feeding his ego.
trek-ie
Go Lance! To all you critics, you are allowed your opinion, but most of you don't have a clue about the complexity of pro cycling. But I don't have the time to educate you. Lance is a force, whether on the bike or spearheading cancer awareness globally.
He would make a great politician but he does have a flaw, he is an honest, hard working individual. I hope he does take office in some capacity and help clean up the corrupt government we have in these trying times.
Lance is an inspiration, and although not perfect, he is doing more than all of you put together! So shut up and go back to watching tv on your couches.
randy3766
I think it is great he is racing again, no matter what the reason. I plan on watching him.
brelnday
He seems to have all the qualifications to run for a polital office. Womanizing, lying, drugging, flip-flopping, what else---
Shish1
While I can appreciate his cycling achievements and promotional efforts for cancer, he's not a good person, deep down--which is what matters most in this life. It's really unfortunate when his talent is offset by the fact that he's such a tool (see also Kanye West and John Mayer, for starters). He should stop talking about himself for a few years and start treating women respectfully; this will go a long way toward making him the inspiration that he aspires to be.
rangerhondo
The trouble with politics anybody thinks they can do it. And stupid people vote them in like it's American Idol and then wonder why things get as screwed up as they currenly are.
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