Cycling legend Lance Armstrong has confirmed that he will be taking part in South Africa's Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour. The world's biggest individually timed cycling event will take place in and around Cape Town on 14 March 2010.
Sports News - January 24, 2010

Armstrong is a role model to many after winning the battle against life-threatening cancer. After recovering, he went onto win the Tour de France an astonishing seven times successively. He is one of the most recognisable athletes in the world.

Word about his entry broke on Wednesday evening when the American tweeted about it, and that news has quickly spread across South Africa.

Armstrong tweeted: "Hey South Africa! Excited to come down in March. Bringing your man Daryl Impey with me. And yes, we're racing The Argus. Hear great things."

Later, he added: "And really looking forward to coming down to SA and working with the Jag Sports and Education Foundation to support all the great work they are doing."

South African cyclist Impey is part of Team Radioshack, a new team formed by Armstrong, which is competing for the first time this year.

The American had been due in South Africa from 11 to 13 March as part of a fund-raising initiative for the JAG Foundation, which says it "inspires South Africa's disadvantaged children to build a positive future for themselves, their families and their communities, by encouraging them to participate in various sport-related programmes”.

"By instilling sporting values for life, we aim to create an environment for South Africa's children to fulfil their dreams and thereby rebuild communities."

Speaking to IOL columnist Kevin McCallum, Impey said the decision to take part in The Cycle Tour had been taken during the Tour Down Under in January. "Yeah, Lance wanted to keep it quiet, but we're doing it," he said.

"It's a privilege for me,” said Impey. “It's time to learn from the master, and also to make a difference to many people's lives back home”.

"The Argus will be fun to ride. I've told Lance all about it, and how it's so massive in South Africa.

"Hey, it's going to be great. Maybe this is the year I can win," he joked.

McCallum also spoke to The Cycle Tour's co-director Dave Bellairs, who said: "I'm really, really pleased and over the moon. He is cycling's superstar and has done more for the global growth of the sport than any rider in history.

"Having him at the Cycle Tour is massive for us. We knew he would be in town for the JAG Foundation and had hoped he would ride in the race, but his schedule is full this year as he focuses on trying to win the Tour de France for the eighth time. We'll release more details as soon as we can".
SAGoodnews