From the San Antonio Express-News Metro, Nov 11, 1996:

Stricken Cyclist Puts No Brakes On Living
By Nicole Foy

GRUENE - About two weeks ago, top American cyclist Lance Armstrong lay in an Indianapolis hospital bed as tubes dripped cancer-killing toxins into his veins. On Sunday, he finished a 26-mile bicycle race alongside friend and world cycling legend Eddy Merckx, a five-time winner of the Tour de France.

As he glided across the finish line and into a crowd of cheering fans, Armstrong grinned broadly. "It was great," he said. "Hard on the legs, but good for the soul." To those who know him, Armstrong's resolve and resiliency come as no surprise. He was diagnosed with testicular cancer last month in the prime of his career. "He is amazing," said C.P. Thalken, a San Antonio cyclist who has competed against Armstrong. "The guy has so much tenacity to go up against something you have no control of."

For Armstrong, Sunday's race--the Tour de Gruene--was difficult, yet symbolic. Although he took it easy and didn't pay any attention to his time in light of his condition, it was the longest distance he's biked since learning he had cancer. "It's special because it seemed like the news was getting worse and worse," he said, referring to recent revelations the disease had spread to his abdomen, lungs, and brain.

Despite his eagerness to return to competitive racing, the Austin cyclist is careful to keep things in perspective. "My first priority is to live," Armstrong said. "My second is to race again." Ranked by one international poll as the top cyclist in the world, Armstrong seemed untouchable. He was the leader of the internationally acclaimed Team Motorola and had earned a major endorsement contract with Nike. He had just turned 25 and finished a $1 million luxury home on Lake Austin when he was diagnosed with cancer. The news shook the world's cycling community, which immediately rallied to Armstrong's side. At Sunday's race, in it's 13th year, his support was overwhelmingly evident.

Chris Carlson--who was in this year's Olympic trials and has competed against Armstrong--said he was shocked when he learned of his friend's situation. "I think it's just great that he's here--he deserves all the attention in the world," Carlson said. "I'd just as well lose every race next year if he'd get better." That kind of unwavering encouragement has emboldened Armstrong. He has received thousands of letters from friends, strangers, and cancer survivors. Before the race Sunday, he pledged to show that "cancer is not necessarily a killer." And he knows he's not alone in his fight. "My faith in people and my faith in my family is much stronger now," he said.

He underwent surgery at Indiana University Hospital two weeks ago to remove cancerous lesions from his brain. The operation was successful, but he still faces many more weeks of chemotherapy. Although he dreads the treatments, Armstrong said he has a simple strategy in mind: "I just take it one day at a time."