Biography - Lance Armstrong

Published by demba001

Lance Armstrong is a national and world champion cyclist, two time Olympian, renowned humanitarian, cancer survivor, and now 5-time winner of the Tour De France. Armstrong (who was born in Texas in 1971), was bitten by the cycling bug at 16, when he became a professional triathelete. He soon dropped the swimming and running to concentrate on two wheels, becoming the US Amateur Champion in 1991. from here, his sporting career took off: he secured his place in U.S. racing history with his victory in the 1993 $1million Thrift Drug Triple Crown (and the TDS Classic in 1994), then winning the 1995 Tour Du Pont, and being named the 1995 Velo News American Male Cyclist of the Year. He scored a dramatic and heartfelt stage 18 win at the 1995 Tour de France in honor of his fallen teammate, Fabio Casartelli. In October of 1996 disaster struck: Armstrong was forced from his bicycle in agony, and tests revealed advanced testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs and his brain. However, within months of two operations and a course of aggressive chemotherapy, Lance had set up a charitable foundation and focused on getting back on his bike. In 1997 he joined the US Postal Service Cycling Team and returned to the circuit the following year. On 25 July 1999 he hit the world headlines when he won the Tour de France for the first time. This enormous comeback marked the beginning for an incredible sporting career ahead. Armstrong is married, with a son and twin daughters.