Considered a titan in Iowa, Lance Armstrong returns to RAGBRAI today
- 25 July, 2011
- Des Moines Register
On Iowa roads and atop a bicycle, Lance Armstrong remains a titan.
In the rest of the world, the celebrity of the seven-time Tour de France champion and cancer survivor has faded, say people who study such things.
It’s been six years since his last Tour victory and two years since he competed. There’s controversy from a string of unproved doping allegations during his competitive peak.
But when Armstrong returns today — to advocate for cancer research and ride part of the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa — he will still be a superstar to fellow cyclists.
Lance Armstrong talks with other riders as he rides with John Edwards along the RAGBRAI outside Aredale in 2007. (Justin Hayworth/Register file photo)
“Lance Armstrong is an American hero,” said Steve Isaacson, a Chicago man who has ridden RAGBRAI for 15 years. “He stands for everything that is great about the sport of biking.”
Still, the shelf life of American fame may be somewhat greater than the 15 minutes envisioned by pop artist Andy Warhol, there is definitely an expiration date — especially for sports stars.
Starting in Carroll this morning, Armstrong will be making his fourth visit to RAGBRAI, his first since 2008. He is one of the great champions in his sport, but cycling is not pro football or college basketball in the hearts and minds of American sports fans.
Armstrong remains an icon to cyclists, but his celebrity has lessened, said Robert Thompson, a Syracuse University professor of television and popular culture.
“An actor who starred in a sitcom that reruns forever on cable will always have longer lasting fame than a sports star,” Thompson said. “With a few exceptions — Babe Ruth, Michael Jordan — the farther they are away from their peak, the less people remember them. There aren’t reruns in sports. We watch them live, and that’s it.”
More than 90 percent of U.S. consumers found Armstrong appealing in June 2009, after he finished third in the Tour de France, according to the Marketing Arm, a Dallas firm that measures celebrity status. By May this year, after another round of doping accusations, Armstrong’s appeal dropped to 76 percent.
“That’s a significant decline,” said Chris Anderson, Marketing Arm communications director. “Allegations and rumors keep surfacing and most people tend to believe where there’s smoke, there’s fire.”
Still, Armstrong’s Iowa fans stand by him.
“I want to believe him,” said Forrest Ridgway, owner of Bike World, a Des Moines bicycle and equipment shop. “I’m not going to judge him. He says he’s innocent. It’s got to be that way unless it’s proven otherwise.”
Ridgway repaired several of the Armstrong Livestrong team bikes during the cyclist’s last ride through Iowa. Armstrong expressed deep affection for RAGBRAI.
“I think he comes here just because he thinks it’s fun,” Ridgway said. “He enjoys the camaraderie on the ride and the people and the spirit of the whole thing. He feels very at home here.
One area where Armstrong’s name still carries weight is cancer survivor advocacy. The Lance Armstrong Foundation introduced the Livestrong yellow silicone bracelets for $1 each to benefit cancer survivors.
The foundation has raised more than $400 million for cancer survivor advocacy. (His schedule today begins with a meeting with lawmakers about cancer efforts.) He is so respected as a fundraiser that the American Cancer Society, which often competes with Armstrong’s foundation for charitable donations, has teamed up with him for joint events.
“Lance Armstrong is probably the most famous cancer survivor in the world today,” said Charles Reed, American Cancer Society of Iowa spokesman. “His passion, energy, and personification of the hopeful side of cancer have gone a long way in making a difference in the fight against cancer.”
Regardless of any perceived declines in Armstrong’s fame, his fellow RAGBRAI riders remain unabashed in their praise.
Isaacson, the longtime Chicago rider, is 55 but he moons over brushes with Armstrong like a kid meeting his hero.
“I’ve probably spent 650 hours riding RAGBRAI,” Isaacson figures. “The most exciting three seconds was watching Lance Armstrong fly by.”
RAGBRAI update
CANCER EVENT: Lance Armstrong’s Livestrong organization said the cyclist will hold a “meet and greet” at about 8:30 a.m. today in Carroll about efforts to help cancer survivors and fund research. Joining him will be a University of Iowa doctor and four state lawmakers. The exact location wasn’t disclosed.
ZOOM: Then it’s off toward Boone. Armstrong’s camp didn’t release any further details of his schedule.
-By DANIEL P. FINNEY, Des Moines Register
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He may be an icon but all of his achievments are due to DOPING!
Really? “He stands for everything that is great about the sport of biking.” If by that statement you mean he lied and cheated his way to almost every professional victory then great. He also bullied and intimidated people. He is not a nice guy. I hate to say it but it may have been the EPO that caused his cancer. Oh well, YOU GO LANCE.
How is it you armchair detectives have the case solved when years of allegations have never been able to prove a thing? Innocent until proven guilty! Unless you have compelling evidence to the contrary, shut your pie holes.
I have to agree with Art Vandelay….this expression of “opinion” absolutely kills what anyone may or may not stand for. Everyone is crying wolf, but no one has actually seen it.
Seriously!? He is here advocating for cancer survivors! Instead of resting on his ego and past accomplishments he is using his celebrity for the benefit of those dis-affected by a life threating disease. RAGBRAI is no race and it serves to remind those who are so influenced by 60 minutes and the New York Times un-founded allegations that Lance is the MOST drug-tested athlete in history… And has never failed. Innocent until proven guilty. A great representative of cycling he is…
Thank you, Lance Armstrong.
Our son, Steve, is riding with team LIVESTRONG, In honor of his mom who is dealing with cancer. Steve has been an avid bike rider and long time avid fan.
I agree with GuinnessBadger – The MOST drug-tested athlete in history – never failed yet is branded a cheat? Let us look at the people who tested positive….and writing books. Look at what Lance Armstrong is doing for cancer and then look at those who knock him down. I say …Keep up the great work
Will Lance be riding any other days….WED? THURS? MAYBE????
Why would you show a picture of two cheaters and claim it is a good thing for Iowa. lance and Edwards are terrible role models. Hope they do not come to Davenport
Gene Meeker….who are you? Lance won the TdF seven times. He has been tested more than any sports figure, ever! And believe me, the UCI and others have really tried to prove he doped! Currently Mr. Armstrong is doing a hell-of-a job supporting cancer research, awareness and individuals. Gene Meeker, what are you doing?
Gene Meeker – what are you doing to better this world? (Besides making stupid comments on the RAGBRAI site). What proof do YOU have that Lance cheated? If the UCI hasn’t been able to prove it, what gives you the right to claim it to be true. The guy has won the Tour de France seven times and has been drug tested more than any athlete in any sport. He’s raised $400 million for cancer research. He’s a great role model for cancer survivors and aspiring athletes. If you ever get cancer, you better check that the treatment you receive wasn’t researched using funding raised by Lance Armstrong. If so, be sure and turn it down!
Lance will always be a hero to my daughter and me. She battled leukemia in 2005 and Lance’s book gave her inspiration. She’s a nurse at UI and by the grace of god and great docs, she’s doing wonderful and riding in Ragbrai again.
We don’t know if Lance enhanced (judge not) but figure if he did, he still beat all the rest that were probably enhancing too.
Greatful mom!
I can’t believe that anyone would say Lance Armstrong is a “doper” Show me a test result!
It sickens me to see John Edwards. Lance should pick his friends a little closer. BLEH.
Having done the Newton stage years back when Lance first started joining RAGBRAI, I think I’m in a position to applaud ANYONE who attempts to do the entire ride. We’re all in this together, folks.
If anyone believes Lance is drug free, they probably be excellent candidates for the defense to sit on the Casey Anthony jury. Tyler Hamilton and Floyd Landis had nothing to gain by telling that he doped up for the Tour.
Armstrong is using RAGBRAI to promote his celebrity.
~ So if Lance didn’t dope and won the Tour 7 times, he really is Superman.
~ If he doped and won the Tour 7 times, he won it on a level playing field and he’s almost a super man!
~ Either way he’s a giant if you or someone you love has cancer.
What Lance Armstrong accomplished in bike racing and in his bout with cancer is an undeniably incredible feat, enhanced by chemistry or not. If he did dope, it put him on an even playing field, and don’t think for a moment they don’t all do it. I don’t care about his personal life or his personality, and only a small handful of people need to know. The facts are; that he beat cancer, won 7 Tours, and is an active advocate for cancer. Admire him for that and forget the rest. Ride on!
So did Lance dope his way through RAGBRAI as well? Did the other riders? Will we ever know? Eventually the truth will come out. Until then, don’t lose too much sleep over it.
People seem to forget that Lance was part of a team when he won those Tour de France events. As captain of the team, the other riders were basically required to help Lance win. In some cases, the other riders agree not to try to win because their job is to run interference and drafting for Lance.
Yes, fellow Americans, cycling is a team sport just as soccer, football, polo, baseball and basketball are all team sports. Some players are there to help other players score. I think that insufficient credit is given to the entire team and too much to Lance. Where would Lance be if he had to ride the entire Tour de France without teammates? He would run the risk of being blocked in for miles and unable to win anything. Just something to think about.
Thank you for making this site so easy to find information. wonderful stuff. Saving this one for later.
What the hell? You people are all messed up in the head. Why are you slamming the man. Do you actually believe the negative HYPE that has been created by the rumour mill? How nieve! Go throw your crap opinions on someone else.
I’ll bet that all whom have slammed Lance can’t even get off their couch and walk down the street. Get on a bike, ride as far as you can and climb some mountains in that ride, then come back and say the same thing. Oh, and along the way look into what the man has done in addition to being the 7 – SEVEN TIME CHAMPIOIN OF THE LARGEST AND NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE BICYCLE RACE IN THE WORLD. Shut your mouth – we are so privialged to have this man ride with us. He could set himself up on a pedistal and scoff at riding with us – (basic ability riders and non-racers). But he will ride without any discrimination in any and all bicycle rides. Even with Grandma and Grandpa for a mile or two.
AAAGGGAHHH!!! I can’t stand people like you!!!!!!