LANCE Armstrong may be a sporting icon but in torrential weather conditions yesterday the most popular man at the last stage of the Tour of Ireland race in Cork city was an An Post worker who was giving out free plastic ponchos to the crowd.
Heavy rain made the race a challenge to watch but the inclement weather didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the thousands who lined the streets at the finish line at MacCurtain Street and St Patrick’s Hill to cheer on British winner Russell Downing.
The win was particularly special for Downing because he celebrated his 31st birthday yesterday.
However, the day was a huge disappointment for the most high-profile cyclist taking part in the race Lance Armstrong. The seven-time Tour de France champion pulled out of the event in the final stages yesterday amid heavy rain and with virtually no chance of winning. He had finished 20th overall on Saturday in the second stage of the race.
Armstrong may not have reached the finish line but the race was still a memorable day for cycling enthusiast Mick Mahony from Midleton, Co Cork, and his eight-year-old son Claude.
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, said she was a big Lance Armstrong fan.
Ms Heffernan, who grew up in Corpus Christi, Texas, and has lived in Cork for three years said she was intensely proud of the participation of Armstrong who is based in Austin – four hours away from Corpus Christi.
“It is cool to be here,” she said.
Yesterday’s stage of the race covered 185km from Bantry to Cork city. Armstrong was not the only rider finding it difficult to cope with the poor weather with race organisers cancelling the final lap because of the downpour.
But it is onwards and upwards for Armstrong who is taking part in a cancer summit in Dublin today. On his Twitter page yesterday afternoon the American cyclist said it was a tough day for all involved.
“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.”