He's Back!!!!!!!

Lance Armstrong has officially announced his return to professional cycling and I personally can't wait. It will include five races starting with the Tour De California right here in Sacramento and the finishing race will of course be the Tour De France. Some of you may not share my optimism at this news and that's OK. I'm not trying to change your mind but I will share why this will be a great year for cycling.

We have the opportunity of a lifetime to watch the greatest cyclist of all time in person right here in our backyard. Lance will be racing in the Tour De California with stage one a twelve mile prologue starting and finishing at the state capital. Will I be there? Are you kidding me! I thought I would never have the opportunity to watch Lance in person but my dream will soon be realized.

Second, the Tour De France wont suck this year. Since Lance retired the Tour has been filled with pathetic story lines and a majority of contenders being caught for doping. Now all you see is a group of ten to twelve so called contenders grouped together without the ability to breakaway. This leaves us with a boring march through the mountains and nothing to talk about except how boring that stage was. There is also the fact that there are no contenders with overall abilities. Each one is a specialist in one of the disciplines but Lance is a cycling specialist.

Even if you don't like Lance it's hard to argue that he is the greatest of all times. If the seven Tour De France victories wasn't amazing enough the way he won them is astounding. He has a certain quality that few athletes have show on a consistent basis. That would be the will and ability to win no matter the circumstances . I grew up watching Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods who have shown this very ability. Whether it was MJ scoring thirty five with the flu in the finals or Tiger winning a major with a bad knee. The fact that they refuse to lose makes them special. Lance has exhibited this very trait throughout his life and I'm excited to watch it again. I remember watching Lance on a number of occasions over come challenge after challenge like falling off his bike, or riding off of the road at forty miles an hour. Every time he has risen to the challenge and won.

I have always looked up to those who never say die and succeed. I strive to live my life everyday in this manner and examples like Lance help keep me going. It's sad when a hero retires and you only have the memories of the past. I will take full advantage of this year and watch every moment of Lance's last epic journey.