Correction: Cyclist Lance Armstrong took part last July in the Ragbrai cycling event in Iowa. This article incorrectly stated that Armstrong’s appearance at the Little Rock Gran Fondo on Saturday was his first cycling-related appearance since his final Tour de France race in 2010.
Lance Armstrong was the center of attention at Saturday's inaugural Little Rock Gran Fondo event, and it wasn't so bad for a change.
Armstrong, 42, understands more than most how the spotlight can be a warm embrace or a searing flame.
He's known what it's like to be beloved, a sports hero who inspired people all over the world by winning seven Tour de France titles (1999-2005) after being diagnosed with cancer. He knows what it's like to be admired for philanthropic efforts thanks to his Livestrong Foundation, which led to an army of bracelet-wearing supporters that raised awareness and millions of dollars in the fight against cancer.
Armstrong has been on the other side, too.
He knows what it's like to be seen worldwide as a cheater after being stripped of his seven Tour de France victories and banned from professional cycling for life in 2012 by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) because of evidence of performance-enhancing drug use found by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).
Armstrong admitted in 2013 to doping during an interview with talk-show host Oprah Winfrey, capping a crash-and-burn ending that was so dramatic it was impossible to ignore.
Armstrong has kept a relatively low public profile since then.
The Gran Fondo event Saturday was his first cycling-related appearance since his final Tour de France race in 2010. It also marked the second time Armstrong has raced in Little Rock. He finished 14th in the Natural State Capitol Criterium in 1990 as an up-and-coming 18-year-old cyclist.
Armstrong was greeted by several fans and cyclists who wanted to take photographs with him Saturday after he completed the approximate 66-mile ride through downtown Little Rock, southern Pulaski County and eastern Saline County.
"You never know these days," Armstrong said. "I'm always amazed about how warm and friendly people are. I don't take it for granted like I used to, so I appreciate it. I just try to be humble and cool and take my time and soak it up."
Little Rock executives Michael Chaffin and Tony Karklins visited Armstrong in April at his Mellow Johnny's Bike Shop in Austin, Texas, and discussed the Little Rock Gran Fondo event with him.
Chaffin is general manager of the Capital Hotel and Karklins is the North American managing director for the Spanish cycling manufacturer Orbea.
Armstrong agreed to take part in the Gran Fondo -- an untimed road cycling event which means "big ride" in Italian -- and paid the $125 entry fee just like the other 249 cyclists who took part in the event. He arrived in Little Rock on Friday and was scheduled to drive back to Austin on Saturday afternoon.
There was no appearance fee for Armstrong, and no grand effort to promote his participation in the event. In fact, most had no idea Armstrong would be in town until he posted a message Thursday on Twitter that he was headed to Little Rock to take part.
Karklins said of the 250 cyclists registered for the Gran Fondo, 230 had registered before Armstrong.
"Certainly those last 20 that came in were probably Lance fans that wanted to be a part of it," Karklins said. "But it was pretty much a sold-out event."
Since being banned from professional cycling, Armstrong has lost approximately half of his estimated $125 million fortune because of lawsuits as well as the majority of his endorsements, which will cost him about $150 million in future revenue. That includes deals with Nike and Oakley sunglasses. He also sold his $10 million home in Austin.
Armstrong's appeal to block Dallas-based SCA Promotion's efforts to recover about $12 million in bonuses also was denied Friday, and he is scheduled to give sworn testimony June 12 regarding the performance-enhancing drugs used to win the Tour de France.
Saturday, though, wasn't about court battles or lost fortunes. Armstrong said it was simply about getting back on a bike in a group setting for the first time in almost four years.
"It's a polarizing topic, but the people were great here," Armstrong said. "I didn't have any negative experiences. Everybody was great."
That doesn't mean there weren't mixed feelings when it came to Armstrong.
"He came out of the doping era and everything, but a lot of those other riders were in it," said John Slonaker, 23, of Pass Christian, Miss. "It's a darker past for the sport. I don't really know how to feel about it."
Frank Weber, 29, of Little Rock credited Armstrong for helping build cycling's popularity in the 2000s.
"I think he's done a lot for the cycling scene in America," Weber said. "He was a big part of the cycling scene as it grew and blew up. You've got to give him some thanks for that."
Armstrong said he enjoyed the free-for-all vibe of the Gran Fondo.
"We were a little unlucky with the weather," Armstrong said of the mostly cloudy morning in Pulaski County. "But it was well-organized. There was a good crowd of friendly people. I had a good time."
Karklins said he viewed Armstrong's presence Saturday as a small step toward repairing the cyclist's tarnished image.
"He was testing his popularity out there, sticking his toes back in the water to see what happens," Karklins said. "It was a small event. Little Rock is a fairly small market. It's a safe market. It's close to where he's from. It was a wise first choice for him.
"I think he should go do a lot of events like this. He needs to go do this tour in every city out there. I saw him reconnect with a lot of people today."
Sports on 06/01/2014