Cycling champion Lance Armstrong spoke for about five minutes last night in Cedar Falls at a concert for RAGBRAI riders. “Cancer is and must become a national priority,” Armstrong said. Armstrong’s “LIVESTRONG” crusade to bolster federal funding for cancer research is what led him to come to Iowa, home to Iowa’s Caucuses which are the kickoff event of the presidential campaign.
“Most people come up to me and say ‘Hey, thanks for comin’ to RAGBRAI. Thanks for coming back to Iowa,'” Armstrong said. “You’ve got it all wrong. I need to thank you for having us here.” Armstrong drew loud cheers from the crowd when he vowed to return for another RAGBRAI.
“This is our second year at RAGBRAI, not the final year,” Armstrong said. Armstrong is on today’s route, but he may not make it all the way to the end in order to fly to France to cheer on his former Tour de France teammates who are near the lead in this year’s race.
“My promise last year was that I would make it all the way to the east and I would dip my front tire in the Mississippi,” Armstrong said. “…Next year, next year, next year.” Armstrong plans to return to Iowa in late August to co-host presidential candidates debates on MSNBC — one debate for Democrats and one for Republians.