So far, so good for Armstrong comeback

23 Jan 2009, 2:13 pm   -   Source: AAP

The start of Lance Armstrong's cycling comeback has generated worldwide publicity for South Australia and the Tour Down Under.

Six months after Lance Armstrong nearly made him fall off his seat, Bill Stapleton has repaid the favour.

Stapleton is Armstrong's long-time agent and one of his most trusted associates.

So as the Tour de France started early last July, Stapleton was one of the first people Armstrong contacted when thoughts of a professional cycling comeback grew.

Like Johann Bruyneel, the man who masterminded Armstrong's seven Tour titles, Stapleton was stunned.

"It was something offhand, like 'what do you think if I wanted to race again?' and I had the same reaction as Johann did - 'call me back when you quit drinking'," says Stapleton.

Fast-forward half a year and Stapleton laughs about a message he received from his client.

Stapleton was a few days' travel behind Armstrong, who had arrived in Adelaide to start that comeback at the Tour Down Under.

"I spent a lot of time talking with ... SA Tourism, so I had a better sense of how perfect a race this was for him to return to, how excited the people were going to be and what to expect," Stapleton said.

"Lance, I think, didn't really believe it and he got to Australia and he sends me this text message - 'Stapleton, you're not going to believe it when you get here ... it's crazy'.

"From a public reaction standpoint, it's A-plus, and from Lance's expectations in goals and wants, I think it's A-plus too.

"He feels good and he's having fun."

Armstrong and Adelaide have been a great fit.

The Texan has revelled in the hospitality, and the attention paid to his global cancer initiative, launched this week, has clearly touched him.

From the other side, whatever appearance fee the state government paid him, they have recouped in value many times over.

The start of Armstrong's comeback has generated enormous publicity worldwide for the state and the Tour Down Under.

Tourism numbers are well up on previous editions of the race and a prime minister has visited the Tour for the first time in its 11-year history.

If Armstrong is racing this time next year, he will compete again in Adelaide.

Of course, the visit has not been without its problems.

As someone with many years' experience of dealing with Armstrong noted: "Lance makes people do strange things".

The tight security surrounding Armstrong is undoubtedly necessary - his sporting status is matched by his celebrity status.

But while Armstrong's retinue appeared relaxed, some officials have just appeared terrified of offending him.

The trip has given pointers to what's ahead for Armstrong, good and bad.

He has been on a charm offensive, especially with the cycling media, and generally this has gone well.

Armstrong has a complicated relationship with the media - he denies persistent rumours he once had a black list of journalists - and it will be interesting to see how he is received in Europe.

The 37-year-old's form on the bike has been encouraging, especially when he was part of a long break in stage three of the Tour.

But already his decision to start his personal anti-doping program has received some negative press.

Noted anti-doping scientist Don Catlin will oversee the testing, but the problem is how much of the results should be made public, as promised.

Armstrong's camp is worried about how data might be interpreted in the public domain.

"The issue of posting results has overshadowed the comprehensive nature of what he's doing and the story behind that," Stapleton said.

Armstrong insists he has also been a "clean" cyclist.

Regardless of the issues, the comeback is underway and so far, so good.

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