10 March 2010: Pouring rain and an unforgiving pace couldn’t dampen the spirits of 43 cyclists having the ride of their lives on Wednesday afternoon, as they joined seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong on a 75 kilometre ride through the Overberg as part of the ‘Discovery Lance for Life Tour 2010’ in support of leading South African charity, the JAG Foundation.
Flanked by his young team mate, South Africa’s Darryl Impey, Armstrong led a small group of riders out of the Lourensford Wine Estate. Along the striking coastal road to Betty’s Bay, the panoramic views were clouded by rain that quickly turned from drizzle to downpour but none of the riders showed the slightest inclination to give in to the conditions.
“It was an incredible experience, and the weather really didn’t matter,” says a smiling Pick ‘n Pay CEO Nic Badminton after arriving at the Western Cape Hotel and Spa in Kleinmond. “It would have been worse if it was hot, instead we had an unforgettable afternoon with a remarkable man.”
Those sentiments were echoed by former South African Rugby Player of the Year and JAG AllStar, Ashwin Willemse who proclaimed his afternoon in the saddle with Armstrong as, “a lifelong dream that’s now a reality. I still can’t believe I’ve done it.”
“I told Lance he must try and catch me when I went ahead of him, but he couldn’t keep up,” Ntini laughed afterwards, before giving credit to the rest of the riders. “It wasn’t just Lance – everyone there helped to make it special, it’s something to tell my children and one day, grandchildren about.”
“Often the most adverse conditions create the most vivid memories,” said Cycle Lab’s Gary Marescia on arrival. JAG Founder Greg James, with two previous Armstrong rides behind him, backed up Marescia’s view stating that, “this was easily the best ride I’ve done with Lance”.
With Armstrong himself a smiling figure from beginning to end, taking time to ride individually with each of his fellow cyclists, an afternoon of inclement Cape weather wasn’t nearly enough to dampen a unique afternoon on the bike in the company of one of sport’s definitive greats.
Following the morning ride, 43 cyclists gathered on Wednesday evening for an exclusive team dinner with Lance. An intimate get-together saw Lance and cycling great, Phil Liggett engage celebrities and guests alike. Close to R500, 000 was raised with auctioned items including an all inclusive trip to the Tour de France and a replica Lance Armstrong bike.
And when asked about his future goals, Lance candidly remarked, that he’d like to participate in Absa Cape Epic.
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