Cycling star Lance Armstrong today said he was shocked by the impromptu 1,200-strong turnout for his ride around Dublin’s Phoenix Park.
Hundreds of fans rode across the capital to join the seven times Tour de France winner for what turned out to be a 36 kilometre trip.
“I was surprised, but also very flattered that hundreds and hundreds, if not more than a thousand, showed up, on ten hours notice,” he said.
“I think the perception a lot of times is ... I can’t play 18 with Tiger (Woods), I can’t get in the ring with Ali, I can’t play soccer with Pele.
“Those sports are different. Cycling is a sport of the people, and as you’ve probably watched the Tour, sometimes a little too close to the people.” Armstrong, who closed his three-day Livestrong Global Cancer
Summit in Dublin today, also revealed his latest venture in the sport will be in Australia.
The 38-year-old Texan will take his new Team RadioShack to the southern hemisphere to make their road racing debut in next year’s Tour Down Under.
PA