Heavy rain lashes cyclists as Armstrong bows out
The well-known cancer survivor and seven-time Tour De France winner who hails from Texas was treated to a traditional Irish summer’s day with sheets of rain his constant companion as he attempted to make the 185 kilometre journey from Bantry to Cork city. On his Twitter page yesterday the 37-year-old cyclist said it was a tough day for all involved in the near monsoon like weather.
“Rough day today on the bike. The ol’ back was not in a good way and St Patty’s Hill [St Patrick’s Hill] wasn’t looking too cozy.”
However, the absence of Armstrong at the finish line did not dampen the enthusiasm of the thousands who lined MacCurtain Street and St Patrick’s Hill for the final stage of the three-day race.
The race was a day out to remember for cycling enthusiast Mick Mahony from Midleton, Co Cork, and his son Claude, 8. Mick’s father is a close friend of Irish Tour de France winner Stephen Roche. Mick said he was delighted to have the opportunity to bring his son to such a high profile event. “We all cycle in my family. My father was the vice president of the Irish Cycling Federation. It is amazing to have the Tour of Ireland here and the seven-time winner of the Tour de France here. It is great to be here with my son.”
Texan Laura Heffernan, who is married to a Cork man and based in the city said she was a big Lance Armstrong fan as he hails from her home state. Laura said she was proud of the participation of Armstrong.
“It is cool to be here. I am a really big Lance Armstrong fan. I have known about him since the Tour [De France] when he became really popular.”
Meanwhile, the most popular man at the race yesterday wasn’t a competitor, but an An Post worker who gave out free plastic ponchos to the soaked spectators. Conditions got so treacherous that the final lap was cancelled. The dangerous conditions contributed to 56 riders retiring, leaving just 47 men to finish the gruelling last stage.
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