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Jay Mariotti

Armstrong Loses Tour, Wins New Fans

Posted Jul 26, 2009 9:59PM By Jay Mariotti (RSS feed)

Filed Under: Cycling

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Alberto Contador and Lance ArmstrongHe never struck me as a man who could win by losing, not after conquering cycling and cancer and becoming one of the world's most inspirational souls. But in finishing third at the Tour de France, an event he once shaped into his personal Tour de Lance every summer, Lance Armstrong did his image more favors than he ever did during seven years of domination. He used to be an arrogant, combative and bitter cuss, an enemy of the French and a target of local doping sleuths/media poised to catch him in the steroids act.

But you'll never guess the headline Sunday in the sports daily L'Equipe, one of the news outlets that have portrayed him as a scandalous figure through the years. "Chapeau, Le Texan," it said. Or, hats off to the Texan.

He has gained universal respect for coming out of a 3 1/2-year retirement, abandoning the epic glory of going out on top and performing better than any soon-to-be 38-year-old ever should have a right to imagine. If this Tour originally was a way to promote his global mission in fighting cancer, it became a statement about Armstrong's will and a test of his character. He used savvy and experience to remain in contention and plant an early seed that maybe, just maybe, he could win his eighth Tour and give us an all-time sporting moment. But when it was painfully obvious that he couldn't climb the Alps with the power and speed of his rival and Astana teammate, Alberto Contador, he did the unimaginable.

Lance Armstrong, man of miracles, conceded.

"As far as I'm concerned, I'm happy to be a domestique," he said, meaning a support rider for Contador.

And he stuck to his word, ending what had been a contentious period of in-house squabbling over whether Contador or Armstrong would be the preferred alpha dog. This is what cyclists are supposed to do: Acknowledge the noble gesture of surrender when a teammate is in position to win. Tough as it was on Armstrong's ego, he handled the final days with class and heaped deserved praise on Contador. It seemed odd to see another rider in the victorious yellow jersey on a day when Armstrong's kids, accustomed to viewing their father as the champion, also were dressed in yellow on the Champs-Elysees. Which is precisely the lesson here.

"I'm realistic, I did everything I could," Armstrong said. "For me, and even more for my kids, it's probably a healthy thing for them to see, because they saw their dad that never lost. And the kids in their class [say], `Your dad never loses,' so it's good for them to see dad get third and still be cool with that and still be happy."

Such an honorable ending didn't appear possible 10 days earlier, when he acknowledged "tension" in the Astana camp over his tug-of-war with Contador. Sunday, in winning his second Tour and perhaps eventually posing a threat to Armstrong's seven wins, the 26-year-old Spaniard revealed how the internal struggles weighed on him and took a parting shot at the legend. "It has been an especially difficult Tour for me, but I savor it and it is more special because of it," Contador said. "We are totally incompatible. In the end, Armstrong will go his way and I'll go mine."

The race, it turns out, was the easy part. The hardest? "It was in the [team] hotel," Contador said on French TV.

Of course, Armstrong was going to be feisty in the meeting room. When a man has beaten testicular cancer that had spread to his brain, abdomen and lungs, think he's going to relinquish team leadership without a fight? Point is, he publicly stated his willingness to do so. "It will be hard. A day like this really shows who's the best, and I wasn't on par with what is required to win the Tour," Armstrong said after Contador pulled ahead in Verbier. "That's the reality; that's not devastating news or anything. I gave it everything that I had, and I wasn't the best. This is a team sport. I think now is the time for me to put my chances aside, and focus on the team."

It was the only comment he could have made without avoiding widespread criticism. But Armstrong was ready to give love this time, maybe because he was receiving love for a change. The crowds treated him like a rock star, a completely different reaction from the taunts and hatred that required him to have a bodyguard fleet in 2005. The French were appreciative to see him again, not understanding what they had until he was gone. "I am a more relaxed person," Armstrong told the Associated Press over the weekend. "I might still be the boss of the peloton, but it's not: 'Hey, it's my way or the highway.' Everybody in that peloton can talk to me and, before, very few people could speak to me -- I think was their impression."

As for the steroids cloud that has hovered over his career -- more guilt by association in a dirty sport than any substantiated evidence of use -- he thinks his clean Tour should convince the doubters that he has been steroid-free all along. He and his teammates were monitored by the juice police more than any other riders this year thanks to Astana's previous scandals, prompting Armstrong to rip a French sports minister who said last week that the team was "avoiding" a test. But assuming no positive tests arise in the coming days, he does have a point: Where's the proof?

"In my opinion -- and this is mine and, of course I'm biased, -- but if you're on the fence or you're in the middle, those questions have been answered," Armstrong said. "If you are objective about it, and you look at a 38-year-old athlete, tested 50-plus time this year, more than anybody else ... the only thing you can say is you have a super secret mystery drug."

He said it with disgust, yet it still was a far cry from his sour victory speech the last time he won in 2005. "The people who don't believe in cycling, the cynics and the skeptics -- I'm sorry for you. I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles," he said then.

Tour de France Photos

    The winner of 2009 Tour de France cycling race, Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s leader Alberto Contador of Spain (L) poses with third placed, seven-time Tour de France winner and Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s Lance Armstrong of the United States on July 26, 2009 on the famous Champs-Elysees Avenue in Paris, at the end of the 160 km and last stage run between Montereau and Paris Champs-Elysees. 2007 Tour de France winner and Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s leader Alberto Contador of Spain won the 2009 Tour de France ahead of Danish cycling team Team Saxo Bank (SAX)'s leader Andy Schleck of Luxemburg and Seven-time Tour de France winner and Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s Lance Armstrong of the United States. TOPSHOTS/AFP PHOTO/PATRICK HERTZOG (Photo credit should read PATRICK HERTZOG/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    The winner of 2009 Tour de France cycling race, Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s leader Alberto Contador of Spain gestures on July 26, 2009 on the famous Champs-Elysees Avenue in Paris, at the end of the 160 km and last stage run between Montereau and Paris Champs-Elysees. 2007 Tour de France winner and Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s leader Alberto Contador of Spain won the 2009 Tour de France ahead of Danish cycling team Team Saxo Bank (SAX)'s leader Andy Schleck of Luxemburg and Seven-time Tour de France winner and Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s Lance Armstrong of the United States. AFP PHOTO POOL BERNARD PAPON (Photo credit should read BERNARD PAPON/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    The winner of 2009 Tour de France cycling race, Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s leader Alberto Contador of Spain (C) poses on the podium with second placed in the overall standings, Danish cycling team Team Saxo Bank (SAX)'s leader Andy Schleck of Luxemburg (L) and third placed, seven-time Tour de France winner and Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s Lance Armstrong of the United States on July 26, 2009 on the famous Champs-Elysees Avenue in Paris, at the end of the 160 km and last stage run between Montereau and Paris Champs-Elysees. 2007 Tour de France winner and Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s leader Alberto Contador of Spain won the 2009 Tour de France ahead of Danish cycling team Team Saxo Bank (SAX)'s leader Andy Schleck of Luxemburg and Seven-time Tour de France winner and Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s Lance Armstrong of the United States. AFP PHOTO BERNARD PAPON (Photo credit should read BERNARD PAPON/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    Second placed in the overall standings, Danish cycling team Team Saxo Bank (SAX)'s leader Andy Schleck of Luxemburg (L) speeds down on July 26, 2009 on the famous Champs-Elysees Avenue in Paris, in the 160 km and last stage run between Montereau and Paris Champs-Elysees. 2007 Tour de France winner and Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s leader Alberto Contador of Spain won the 2009 Tour de France ahead of Danish cycling team Team Saxo Bank (SAX)'s leader Andy Schleck of Luxemburg and Seven-time Tour de France winner and Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s Lance Armstrong of the United States. AFP PHOTO JOEL SAGET (Photo credit should read JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    The winner of 2009 Tour de France cycling race, Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s leader Alberto Contador of Spain (C) poses with second placed in the overall standings, Danish cycling team Team Saxo Bank (SAX)'s leader Andy Schleck of Luxemburg (L) as third placed, seven-time Tour de France winner and Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s Lance Armstrong of the United States leaves the podium on July 26, 2009 on the famous Champs-Elysees Avenue in Paris, at the end of the 160 km and last stage run between Montereau and Paris Champs-Elysees. 2007 Tour de France winner and Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s leader Alberto Contador of Spain won the 2009 Tour de France ahead of Danish cycling team Team Saxo Bank (SAX)'s leader Andy Schleck of Luxemburg and Seven-time Tour de France winner and Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s Lance Armstrong of the United States. AFP PHOTO POOL BERNARD PAPON (Photo credit should read PAPON BERNARD/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    The winner of 2009 Tour de France cycling race, Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s leader Alberto Contador of Spain (C) poses with second placed in the overall standings, Danish cycling team Team Saxo Bank (SAX)'s leader Andy Schleck of Luxemburg (L) as third placed, seven-time Tour de France winner and Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s Lance Armstrong of the United States leaves the podium on July 26, 2009 on the famous Champs-Elysees Avenue in Paris, at the end of the 160 km and last stage run between Montereau and Paris Champs-Elysees. 2007 Tour de France winner and Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s leader Alberto Contador of Spain won the 2009 Tour de France ahead of Danish cycling team Team Saxo Bank (SAX)'s leader Andy Schleck of Luxemburg and Seven-time Tour de France winner and Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s Lance Armstrong of the United States. AFP PHOTO POOL BERNARD PAPON (Photo credit should read BERNARD PAPON/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    Green jersey of best sprinter, Swiss cycling team Cervelo (CTT)'s Thor Hushovd of Norway (R) signs an autograph for fans on July 26, 2009 on the famous Champs-Elysees Avenue in Paris, at the end of the 160 km and last stage run between Montereau and Paris Champs-Elysees. 2007 Tour de France winner and Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s leader Alberto Contador of Spain won the 2009 Tour de France ahead of Danish cycling team Team Saxo Bank (SAX)'s leader Andy Schleck of Luxemburg and Seven-time Tour de France winner and Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s Lance Armstrong of the United States. AFP PHOTO LIONEL BONAVENTURE (Photo credit should read LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    Green jersey of best sprinter, Swiss cycling team Cervelo (CTT)'s Thor Hushovd of Norway (C) shakes hands with fans on July 26, 2009 on the famous Champs-Elysees Avenue in Paris, at the end of the 160 km and last stage run between Montereau and Paris Champs-Elysees. 2007 Tour de France winner and Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s leader Alberto Contador of Spain won the 2009 Tour de France ahead of Danish cycling team Team Saxo Bank (SAX)'s leader Andy Schleck of Luxemburg and Seven-time Tour de France winner and Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s Lance Armstrong of the United States. AFP PHOTO LIONEL BONAVENTURE (Photo credit should read LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    The winner of 2009 Tour de France cycling race, Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s leader Alberto Contador of Spain (R) poses with teammates and Tour de France 2009 third placed, seven-time Tour de France winner and Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s Lance Armstrong of the United States (C) and Astana team manager, Johan Bruyneel on July 26, 2009 on the famous Champs-Elysees Avenue in Paris, at the end of the 160 km and last stage run between Montereau and Paris Champs-Elysees. 2007 Tour de France winner and Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s leader Alberto Contador of Spain won the 2009 Tour de France ahead of Danish cycling team Team Saxo Bank (SAX)'s leader Andy Schleck of Luxemburg and Seven-time Tour de France winner and Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s Lance Armstrong of the United States. AFP PHOTO PASCAL PAVANI (Photo credit should read PASCAL PAVANI/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    The winner of 2009 Tour de France cycling race, Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s leader Alberto Contador of Spain (R) poses with teammates and Tour de France 2009 third placed, seven-time Tour de France winner and Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s Lance Armstrong of the United States (C) on July 26, 2009 on the famous Champs-Elysees Avenue in Paris, at the end of the 160 km and last stage run between Montereau and Paris Champs-Elysees. 2007 Tour de France winner and Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s leader Alberto Contador of Spain won the 2009 Tour de France ahead of Danish cycling team Team Saxo Bank (SAX)'s leader Andy Schleck of Luxemburg and Seven-time Tour de France winner and Kazakh cycling team Astana (AST)'s Lance Armstrong of the United States. AFP PHOTO PASCAL PAVANI (Photo credit should read PASCAL PAVANI/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images


Now, in defeat, we find Armstrong to be more likable, accessible and, yes, human. We've always admired him for his LiveStrong campaign against cancer, symbolized by the yellow bracelets still seen everywhere. Excelling in the Tour this year, without a hint of scandal, only helps his cause. "I mean, the two passions in my life, aside from my family, are cycling and cancer," he said, reiterating that he will race at the Tour in 2010. "And I've got to stay involved in both of those. My life needs those things. And I think those things need me."

His duel with Contador breathed life into an event that looked dead without him, particularly with relentless doping episodes muddling the scene. A year ago, I was suggesting they kill off the Tour. Now, I can't wait for Contador vs. Armstrong Part Deux, with Lance moving to a Radio Shack-sponsored team that will let him be the alpha dog throughout. "I'm staying positive," he said. "My level will be a little better next year. If he has the same level next year that he has this year, [it will be] difficult to beat him. That's just a fact, a scientific fact. There's a lot of variables there. My condition, his condition, team tactics, tactics of the race. But that's why we do the race, so we know."

He even acknowledged that the 2009 Contador may have beaten the 1999-2005 Armstrong. "Contador is that good, so I don't see how I would have been higher than that," he told the AP. "I think his performance this year would have beaten my performances in '01, and '04 and '05."

The thought of which surely will be lodged in Lance Armstrong's head the next 49 weeks as he plots how to exact revenge on the young buck who beat him. Doubt him at your own peril.

Tags: alberto+contador, AlbertoContador, lance+armstrong, LanceArmstrong

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Jay Mariotti

Jay MariottiJay Mariotti is a national columnist and commentator for FanHouse.com. He is a daily panelist on ESPN's sports-debate show, "Around The Horn,'' seen Monday through Friday at 5 p.m. ET. Mariotti spent 17 years as a lead sports columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times and has covered every major sporting event -- national and worldwide -- on multiple occasions.