April 18, 2005 — I am Canadian and like all good Canadians I have cultivated a nonchalant air of disinterest when it comes to celebrities. It isn’t polite to make a fuss or get awe-struck just because Goldie Hawn or Justin Timberlake is in our midst. Imagine my surprise when I nearly lost it and cracked an excited smile at the Lance Armstrong press conference kicking off the Tour de Georgia. I have to confess I was a little star-struck by the six-time Tour de France champion, cancer survivor, and philanthropist. It was during this press conference the cycling legend announced his retirement, stating the 2005 Tour de France would be his last race as a professional cyclist.

“It will be the last one win or lose,” Armstrong acknowledged. “Having said that, I am very committed to a seventh win.”

Armstrong says he is one hundred percent committed to his decision to retire and will not race as a pro after July 24th 2005, the final stage of the Tour de France. He declared his ambition to log a seventh Tour de France win, not only because it his job as leader of the Discovery Team, but also as a tribute to ten million cancer survivors.

Even in my celebrity induced haze I could appreciate not only the phenomenal legacy this cyclist has created, but also the very simple reason he has chosen to retire when many riders would continue to milk their success: his children.

“My biggest inspiration is my children. They are the ones telling me it’s time to come home,” Armstrong said.

Armstrong’s relationship and employment with Discovery doesn’t end following the 2005 Tour de France. He will continue in an as yet undetermined role, developing the team and mentoring young, up and coming riders. Armstrong, like many of the other high profile riders at the Tour de Georgia, lamented the lack of Espoir riders that might one day hold multiple Tour de France titles.

When asked whether he can do what nobody has ever done before — win seven Tour de France titles – Armstrong said, “Can I win again this year? I am not sure. But it is my ambition to win and I consider it my job to win.”

Win or not, Lance Armstrong has changed cycling in a way that even a Canadian can get excited about.