In 2005 Lance Armstrong retired from professional cycling after winning an unprecedented seven consecutive Tours de France. At 37 years of age, Armstrong left at the peak of his career, choosing instead to concentrate on his fight against cancer through his Livestrong Foundation.
But competitive cycling kept whispering in his ear: “Comeback. Comeback.”
And in 2009, Armstrong announced he was coming out of retirement to race again in the Tour. Bicycling magazine editor and author Bill Strickland chronicles Armstrong’s return to professional cycling in “Tour De Lance: The Extraordinary Story Of Lance Armstrong’s Fight To Reclaim The Tour De France.”
And extraordinary it is. After four years of a fit but non-competitive life-style, Armstrong had less than one season to retrain his body to face the grueling demands that his sport requires. Armstrong’s laser-like singularity of purpose and almost super-human dedication are fodder not only for the skeptics but for his fans as well. Strickland’s book describes in alternating chapters the 2009 Tour De France stages as well as the training and races Armstrong competed in leading up to the Tour itself.
Tour De Lance is a detailed, behind-the-scenes look at one of the most intense athletes of our era as well as an homage to the equally intense race he rides. And you can reserve it here.
