| Revision as of 06:37, 30 July 2002 view sourceGareth Owen (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users6,215 editsmNo edit summary← Previous edit | Revision as of 21:17, 26 September 2002 view source AxelBoldt (talk | contribs)Administrators44,499 edits cancer in the first paragraphNext edit → | ||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| '''Lance Armstrong''' (born ], ], Plano, ]) is an ] ]. |
'''Lance Armstrong''' (born ], ], Plano, ]) is an ] ]. After surviving ], he has won the ] four consecutive times, from ] to ]. | ||
| Raised by his mother, Linda, whose spirit and independence Armstrong has often cited as his greatest influence, Armstrong began his sporting career as a ], competing in seniors' competitions from age 16. It soon became clear, however, that his greatest talent lay in the cycling leg of the event. | |||
| ⚫ | After competing as |
||
| ⚫ | After competing as a cycling amateur - winning the US amateur championship in ] and finishing 14th in the ] ] road race - Armstrong turned professional in ]. The following year already, he scored his first major victory as he rode solo to win the World Championships on the Road in ], ]. | ||
| ⚫ | His successes continued, winning a stage in the ] Tour de France and several classic one-day events. In ], however, it was announced that Armstrong suffered of testicular ]. |
||
| ⚫ | His successes continued, winning a stage in the ] Tour de France and several classic one-day events. In ], however, it was announced that Armstrong suffered of ] ] that had ]. He was given a 50% chance of survival and managed to recover after invasive surgery to remove brain lesions, and a severe course of ]. Whilst in remission he resumed training, but found himself unceremoniously, if unsurprisingly, dropped by his Motorola team. He was eventually signed by the newly formed US Postal Service team, and by ], he was able to make his - successful - return in the cycling world. | ||
| His true comeback came in ], as he won the ] for the first time, a performance he repeated in the three following seasons. It is expected that Armstrong will try to go for a record sixth win, which would beat current record holders ], ] and ], who all have five wins. | His true comeback came in ], as he won the ] for the first time, a performance he repeated in the three following seasons. It is expected that Armstrong will try to go for a record sixth win, which would beat current record holders ], ] and ], who all have five wins. | ||
Revision as of 21:17, 26 September 2002
Lance Armstrong (born September 18, 1971, Plano, Texas) is an American cyclist. After surviving cancer, he has won the Tour de France four consecutive times, from 1999 to 2002.
Raised by his mother, Linda, whose spirit and independence Armstrong has often cited as his greatest influence, Armstrong began his sporting career as a triathlete, competing in seniors' competitions from age 16. It soon became clear, however, that his greatest talent lay in the cycling leg of the event.
After competing as a cycling amateur - winning the US amateur championship in 1991 and finishing 14th in the 1992 Olympics road race - Armstrong turned professional in 1992. The following year already, he scored his first major victory as he rode solo to win the World Championships on the Road in Oslo, Norway.
His successes continued, winning a stage in the 1995 Tour de France and several classic one-day events. In 1996, however, it was announced that Armstrong suffered of testicular cancer that had metastasized. He was given a 50% chance of survival and managed to recover after invasive surgery to remove brain lesions, and a severe course of chemotherapy. Whilst in remission he resumed training, but found himself unceremoniously, if unsurprisingly, dropped by his Motorola team. He was eventually signed by the newly formed US Postal Service team, and by 1998, he was able to make his - successful - return in the cycling world.
His true comeback came in 1999, as he won the Tour de France for the first time, a performance he repeated in the three following seasons. It is expected that Armstrong will try to go for a record sixth win, which would beat current record holders Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain, who all have five wins.
Reading:
"It's Not About The Bike" -- Lance Armstrong, with Sally Jenkins. Armstrong's own account of his battle with cancer and subsequent triumphant return to bike racing.