Armstrong Wins Tour de France for Sixth Straight Time

In the world of cycling, there is no race more important than the Tour de France. With twenty stages covering over 3,300 kilometres, it is a grueling event. And for a finish, there is little in the world of sport to compare with the final stage up the Champs Elysee. For a record-setting sixth year in a row, a Texan named Lance Armstrong has prevailed in this extremely French event. Speculation has already begun whether he will try for a seventh. If he does, he will have to answer the question "why?"

Mr. Armstrong's greatest display came in his successful fight against cancer, and there is something in facing down death that makes one different from most people. Life appears to be a bit more worthwhile, things one does a bit more important. And in sports, most accept Mr. Armstrong's cornerstone of faith, “I believe that the man who works the hardest is the man who deserves to win.” Yet, there are a great many deserving who never reach the winner's circle.

“When it’s pouring rain and you have to go and ride six hours in the mountains," he observed, "there’s no fun in doing that. There’s no one cheering – or booing – on the side of the road, but that’s what makes the difference." So, after breaking the record of five wins formerly held by Eddy Merckx, Jacques Anquetil, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain, will Mr. Armstrong have the inner desire to ride in the pouring rain? Someday, there will be someone younger, hungrier and faster who will beat him. Not that that future racer is better, but time takes its toll on everyone. When will Mr. Armstrong yield to the inevitable?

For a culture based on competition, the latest result from France raises an interesting question. For Mr. Armstrong's competitors, there is still a reason to ride -- to be the one who stops his winning streak. But for him, is the seventh going to be more meaningful than the sixth? And what of the eighth? Or the tenth? Numbers go on, at what point does it become meaningless to try?

The iron man of baseball, Cal Ripken, Jr., played more consecutive games than any other major leaguer ever. Each day, he walked out, a new record was set. Then, in September of 1998, he decided that the streak would end with 2,632 games. He took the day off. It may be the same with Mr. Armstrong. The victory won't be worth the ride in the rain anymore.


© Copyright 2004 by The Kensington Review, J. Myhre, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent.


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