Ask Lance Armstrong

Lance Armstrong J. Scott Applewhite, File / AP

In 1999 he vanquished a fleet of his peers to capture cycling's greatest prize, the Tour de France, less than three years after overcoming cancer. Then he did it again, six more times. The tenacious Texan, who has devoted his energy to his cancer foundation, Livestrong, since retiring in 2005, recently announced he would un-retire for one more try at the yellow jersey. Submit your questions for Lance Armstrong here, and look for the upcoming interview in TIME magazine.

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189 Questions >>

Submit your question to Ask Lance Armstrong (189 other responses).

Posted by Marco Galinha in NewYork:
your are number one in cycling for the next 100 years! why to run again?

Marco Galinha
Posted by John in Billings MT:
So Lance its time to come clean: Would you relate past steriod use to your bout with cancer?
Posted by ann smith in basking ridge nj:
With all the help that modern medicine has given you, why do you lobby against vaccination, one of its chief tools? What informs your stance against immunizations?
Posted by James Buchanan in Exeter, NH:
I'm a cancer survivor as well (diagnosed at age 40 with colorectal cancer) and am adamant about the fact that having health insurance was critical to saving my life.

As an activist for research, none of it will do any good without portable and universal coverage. How are you addressing this issue?

Best,
James Buchanan
Exeter, NH
Posted by SOLOMON BACALSO in butuan city:
how to minimize poverty
what is the causes of over population or how it affects in economics
causes of poverty
Posted by Kelli Werner in Greenwood, IN:
We know for certain you wouldn't even entertain the thought of coming back to cycling unless you knew you would win the Tour.
Do you know you will win? And also, what are you hoping to accomplish? I have read alot about cancer awareness. Are you hopeing to reconnect your face with cancer fighters and survivers?
Posted by Brian Mullin in Lancaster, PA:
I was wondering what you though about if you return to Astana? With Contador and Leipheimer both contenders for next year's Tour wouldn't you be stealing their thunder if you joined their team as the new leader or would you be willing to support them and become a domestique?
Posted by bob asbille in charleston, sc:
who for prez?
Posted by Thelma J in Kerala ,India:
You have fought a good war (on cancer) and run a good race (tour de france ), how do you continue to motivate yourself?
Posted by Jaime Flores in King of Prussia, PA:
I've telling people that the increase of cancer illness and global warming is thanks to a lot of communications devices, "we are cooking ourselves with lots of waves" but I just guessing, what do you think?
Posted by Kiran Easwaran in Singapore:
How do you do it? You have battled cancer, and have won the tour de france a couple of times after that. Now you plan to come back to competitive cycling. What do you think your chances are to win it, back-to back?
Posted by John Tredway in Venice, FL:
As you prepare to win an 8th Tour de France, how do you see Team Astana compared to some of the great teams you rode with over the years?
Posted by tim graves in bozeman:
Hi lance , I know you must hear stories all the time about people who have lost love ones ( hear's another one). I lost my father 9 years ago to cancer (lymphoma) and I'm still devastated. He was only 54 years old (by the way I also lost my uncle to cancer 3 month's earlier and he was like a second father to me).My father left behind children ,a wife, and many people who cared for him ( he was a kind and gregarious person which endeared himself to everyone he met). I was wondering if you could tell me about any advancement's in cancer reasearch recently and what recent politician's I should be voting for who support thing's like stem cell research( it's some of these people who have been obstacles to these thing's and I don't want to vote for them).Finally anything I can do to raise awareness or money ( like a local fundraiser) would be great. I know bozeman mt has a film festival in october called HATCH which draw's a crowed of wealthy and famous people, and that might be a great place to start ( any idea's would be appreciated) thanks for listening......tim graves
Posted by Marco Galinha in NewYork:
Dear Lance reading this i have no words ...there are some ignorant guys... people should respect cancer survivor´s.
now i understand why you want to run!

2009 Champion sound good?
Marco Galinha
Posted by Ed Gilroy in Linden, Nj:
The heck with that other stuff, let's talk bikes!

What were your preferred gear ratios, total up bike weight, and cadence up Alpe D'Huez for your last two tours?

Ed
Posted by J. Cook in Bridgewater, NJ:
You've won the Tour de France seven times and have seemingly moved into "retirement" successfully while still keeping your foundations front and center. Why go back to racing rather than continuing to focus your efforts on your charities?
Posted by Andrew Russell in Cape Town:
Who was a greater athlete, Jan Ullrich or yourself (for the sake of discussion, lets ignore the allegations against Jan).
Posted by Donna Lockyer in London, Ontario, Canada:
What type of health regime do you adhere to?
Posted by Anna Beukes in Cape Town:
Lance
Much of your success was due to the fact that you just worked harded than anyone else was willing to. What motivates you to be on your bike - Christmas, blizzard or sunshine?
Posted by James Vega in Chicago, IL:
What influenced you the most on your decision to compete at next years Tour de France?
Posted by john valko in minneapolis:
Having won the Tour de France seven times, what's in a possible eighth victory?
Posted by Julien Deveraux in Portland, OR:
Do you think that Performance-Enhancing drugs are ethical in the competitive sports arena? I'm not asking about your feelings on their legality but whether or not you think it is fair for athletes to use them when competing?
Posted by Gaston Tagni in Amsterdam:
If you had to dfine yourself in three words, what would those words be?
Posted by Jake Christopher Henn in San Diego:
Highest respect. What do you think will be the most challenging aspect of your training in getting ready for Le Tour?
Posted by John Hay, Jr. in Indianapolis:
As a child or adolescent, what experience made you most angry?
Posted by Zulfi Merchant in Helena, Al:
With doping a huge concern what measures do you think that the Tour De France organizers can implement to ensure a clean competitive race?
Posted by Andre Caron in Montreal, Canada:
Who is the greatest cyclist ever, you or Eddy Merckx ?
Posted by Manuel Fragozo in Mexico:
Other high profile athletes (M. Jordan, M. Lemieux, etc.) have felt the need to prove something. What is your reason for a comeback? Was it a much needed break?
Posted by Victoria Tullman in Tampa, FL:
Why are you unable to stay in a relationship?
Posted by Jorge Suarez in Raleigh:
What does a typical workout look like when your starting to traing for a race? What advide do you have for beginning cyclists to prepare for a race, such as how many weeks in advance to start, etc?
Posted by Ralph Chorocco in McLean, Va:
Part of your previous success has been the great Team around you. This time around there will no more George, Popo, Eki, Johan or Cechu..well maybe Chechu will ride another year. What kind of team will you assemble for this 2009 season and will you consider a supportive rol ( yeah right!) if Astana is the only option? Any how, good luck and will be cheering for you.

La Familia Chorocco
Posted by Michael Conway in Pittsburgh, Pa:
Lance, in addition to the TDF, any thoughts on tackling some of the one-day monuments of cycling?

I understand not taking on the Giro or the Vuelta, targeting two grand tours in one year would be, well Grand; but surely you could pick one or two monuments in April, Ronde van Vlaanderen or Liège-Bastogne-Liège perhaps?

I am sure that the cycling world would love to see you "serious" in April.
Posted by James Tjan in Amsterdam:
Dear mr. Armstrong,

How do you assess your competitive drive compared to the time you where still an active professional cyclist? Do you have different expectations towards racing?
Posted by Harry Dinwiddie in Charleston, SC:
Since you retired, cycling has received a black eye for its constant findings of doping cyclists, including American Floyd Landis. In Europe, many newspapers have questioned the legitimacy of your races and if you have doped or not. However, American media and fans have not questioned the subject at all, maybe because we don't understand the sport, hero-worship or an us-versus-them mentality. Is it fair for Americans who watched you race to question the validity of your races because of what has happened since you left?
Posted by Roman in dc:
I really like riding my bike. Since i was a kid i used to do it, It's really fun. Do you still find bycicling fun or it's more like having a job?
Posted by Haley Naegele in Fort Worth, Texas:
Austin is historically known for some great tex-mex food. Assuming you love it as much as the rest of us in the lone star state, where do you go when in the big cities (L.A., NY, etc...) to get your fix?
Posted by Grant Curtiss in Gainesville, FL:
So you have already won Le Tour de France seven times, which is an impressive feat. Not to be pessimistic or anything, but if you were to be defeated in the 2009 Tour, would you continue to cycle competitively? And if so, how much juice do you think you have left to continue cycling at that level?
Posted by Jessica Stricklin in Decatur, IL:
Hey, how about that Dara Torres! Was she part of your inspiration to return to competition? Or was it insanity?
Posted by Orrin Bowser in Midhurst:
How is it none of the best Cheater (dopers) could beat you in 7 tours?

Why do you think so many of your ex-team mates turned to Doping after leaving Your Team.
Landis, Hamilton, Huras, Basso, Andreu, Etc.

Could they not use the same techniques that you and Bruyneel perfected? These riders where in their prime and had only been one or two years away from Team Discovery.
Posted by Deborah Kiser in Weilerbach:
You are a great cyclist. Are you hooked on TDF? Why the return after such great wins, going out on top so to speak. Look forward to seeing you, last season was a dud without you!
Posted by Patrick Agnew in Fort Myers, FL:
Lance: Welcome back! I'm surprised that you're returning to the sport as a rider, having already "won it all." What about coaching or team director - so you can pass on your wisdom?
Posted by William Wallace in Seattle:
Great decision...more teams and riders should be riding for such a worthy cause (kudos to Team Type 1). Is your vision to compete in the Tour again a one-year individual project for you, or a multi-year team project? Either way...good luck and well done!
Posted by Michael S. O’Brien in Chandler, AZ:
While you are in training for competitive cycling, what is your daily caloric intake?
Posted by Edward Figueredo in Redondo Beach:
Hello Lance.
Congrats on all your accomplishments. Being originally from Austin I have been following your career for a long time. Cycling is such a grueling physical and time consuming sport so it begs the question: Why after so much success and limitations to your small children would you decide to go back now?

Good luck with whatever you do!

Regards, Ed...
Posted by alex barkan in new york:
Did you feel guilt leaving your wife after she was there for you in your darkest moment during your battle with cancer?
Posted by Elyse Johnston in Phoenix:
How do you prepare yourself mentally for a race a grueling as the Tour de France?
Posted by M. I. Richardson in :
Hi Lance, just came back from a VW Westfalia classic camper van get-together in Maryland last week and word was, that you are a big "Westy" fan. Is that so, or was that just a story ?
Posted by Farrukh Naz in Lahore Pakistan:
What is the most important thing for the people, friends of cancer patient, to supprt him to fight for this cause without having financial help.
Posted by Terry Ramsdell in Ann Arbor, Michigan:
We all rode bikes as children, you can very few adults who'll say they never did but yet bike races and even the Tour de France have never really caught on here, why is that?
Posted by Bobby Jim in New GettisBurg:
Cake or Pie?

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