Posted on 04/11/2005 1:54:54 PM PDT by stylin_geek
OJAI, Calif. (AP) - Lance Armstrong was a surprise entry at a cycling race, stunning riders at the line minutes before the start and then finishing 15th in the Lemire Memorial Grand Prix. Wearing a blue and white jersey, the Tour de France champion took his place with others for the 90-minute criterium race through rural Ventura County on Sunday. Armstrong, who rarely rides in the United States, is tuning up for an attempt this summer for a record seventh straight title at the Tour de France. He is scheduled to ride in the Tour of Georgia on April 19-24. After arriving in Los Angeles on Saturday, the Texan phoned a friend and asked if there were any races in the area. The friend, Dave Lettieri, put Armstrong's representatives in touch with Ojai race organizer Bob Fisher. Fisher learned Saturday night that Armstrong would enter. "We tried to keep it hush-hush, but it's hard when it's something like that," Fisher said. Added Lettieri: "Showing up at a non-pure professional race is very, very rare for Lance or anybody of that caliber because of the risk of crashing or injury." The crowd roared when announcer Dave Towle welcomed Armstrong, racer No. 120. "I've been lining up at races since I was a kid, and I still get that nervous feeling in my stomach," Armstrong told Towle. "I just
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.foxsports.com ...
OJAI, Calif. (AP) - Lance Armstrong was a surprise entry at a cycling race, stunning riders at the line minutes before the start and then finishing 15th in the Lemire Memorial Grand Prix.
Wearing a blue and white jersey, the Tour de France champion took his place with others for the 90-minute criterium race through rural Ventura County on Sunday. Armstrong, who rarely rides in the United States, is tuning up for an attempt this summer for a record seventh straight title at the Tour de France. He is scheduled to ride in the Tour of Georgia on April 19-24.
After arriving in Los Angeles on Saturday, the Texan phoned a friend and asked if there were any races in the area. The friend, Dave Lettieri, put Armstrong's representatives in touch with Ojai race organizer Bob Fisher. Fisher learned Saturday night that Armstrong would enter.
"We tried to keep it hush-hush, but it's hard when it's something like that," Fisher said.
Link Here for the rest of the story.
Lance ping.
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