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Armstrong to ride in South Africa

Brad Morgan

5 February 2009

Cycling legend Lance Armstrong has confirmed that he will taking part in South Africa's Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour. The world's biggest individually timed cycling event takes place in and around Cape Town on 14 March.

Armstrong is a role model to many after his amazing battle against life-threatening cancer, after which he went on to win the Tour de France an astonishing seven times in succession. He is one of the most recognisable athletes in the world.

Word about his entry broke on Wednesday evening when the American tweeted about it, and that news has quickly spread across South Africa.

'Excited'

He wrote: "Hey South Africa! Excited to come down in March. Bringing your man Daryl Impey with me. And yes, we're racing The Argus. Hear great things."

Later, he added: "And really looking forward to coming down to SA and working with the Jag Sports and Education Foundation to support all the great work they are doing."

South African cyclist Impey is part of Team Radioshack, a new team formed by Armstrong, which is competing for the first time this year.

JAG Foundation

The American had been due in South Africa from 11 to 13 March as part of a fund-raising initiative for the JAG Foundation, which says it "inspires South Africa's disadvantaged children to build a positive future for themselves, their families and their communities, by encouraging them to participate in various sport-related programmes.

"By instilling sporting values for life, we aim to create an environment for South Africa's children to fulfil their dreams and thereby rebuild communities."

Speaking to IOL columnist Kevin McCallum, Impey said the decision to take part in The Cycle Tour had been taken during the Tour Down Under in January. "Yeah, Lance wanted to keep it quiet, but we're doing it," he said.

'It's a privilege for me'

"It's a privilege for me. It's time to learn from the master, and also to make a difference to many people's lives back home.

"The Argus will be fun to ride. I've told Lance all about it, and how it's so massive in South Africa.

"Hey, it's going to be great. Maybe this is the year I can win," he joked.

'Over the moon'

McCallum also spoke to The Cycle Tour's co-director Dave Bellairs, who said: "I'm really, really pleased and over the moon. He is cycling's superstar and has done more for the global growth of the sport than any rider in history.

"Having him at the Cycle Tour is massive for us. We knew he would be in town for the JAG Foundation and had hoped he would ride in the race, but his schedule is full this year as he focuses on trying to win the Tour de France for the eighth time. We'll release more details as soon as we can."

JAG Foundation schedule

Armstrong's JAG Foundation schedule includes, on 9 March, "Lance's Little Leaders". At a cost of R50 000, people will be able to spend a day with the Tour de France hero.

There will be a brunch, during which those in attendance will be able to meet some of the children who will be benefitting from the fund-raising. That will be followed by a school trip and a banquet that evening.

People may choose to attend the dinner alone at a cost of R25 000 per table of eight. "The Voice of Cycling", Phil Liggett, will host the event with Dan Nicholl.

On 10 March, Armstrong will host a ride for a small group of 40 people, followed by a dinner. Each rider will be able to spend one-on-one time with Armstrong, but it won't be cheap at R175 000 per person. Phil Liggett will again be the Master of Ceremonies.

On the third day, 11 March, there will be a breakfast, costing R15 000 per table of 10, with Liggett and Nicholl taking charge once more.

Charitable work

Armstrong is well known for his charitable work. In 1997, he founded the Lance Armstrong Foundation, which supports people affected by cancer.

In 2007, Armstrong, along with Andre Agassi, Muhammad Ali, Warrick Dunn, Jeff Gordon, Mia Hamm, Tony Hawk, Andrea Jaeger, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Mario Lemieux, Alonzo Mourning, and Cal Ripken, Jr. founded Athletes for Hope, a charity which helps professional athletes get involved in charitable causes and inspires non-athletes to volunteer and support the community.