ADELAIDE – International cycling icon Lance Armstrong says he will not be expecting a ticker-tape farewell ahead of his competitive swansong at the Tour Down Under this week.
Australia’s premier cycling event has been steadily gathering in stature and Armstrong’s presence gives the Adelaide-based race, which begins with a hectic street criterium on Sunday, an extra boost.
After years of courting almost as much controversy as he did success on seven golden years on the Tour de France, it will be the American’s final international cycling event.
Cancer survivor Armstrong retired in 2005, only to return to cycling three-and-a-half years later ahead of what became a futile bid for an eighth yellow jersey.
Having finished an impressive third overall on the Tour de France in 2009, the 2010 edition proved a step too far for the now 39-year-old, who collapsed spectacularly on the first day in the high mountains.
There is no question of Armstrong aiming for victory this week, never mind success in one of the six stages that will be coveted by a strong sprint field. Indeed, organisers may be wondering how much of a starring role Armstrong will play.
British sprint king Mark Cavendish will be the other big draw, the Isle of Man rider making his first appearance in the race for HTC-Team Columbia.
As Armstrong finished 39 minutes behind Spain’s Alberto Contador on the 2010 Tour de France, Cavendish emerged with another bunch of stage victories to take his tally to a British record 15 from only four editions.
Overall victory in the Tour Down Under traditionally becomes an option for whoever seizes an early grip on the race, as Germany’s Andre Greipel — not a climbing specialist — has done on two occasions.
