In this July 6, 2010, file photo, Lance Armstrong grimaces prior to the start of the third stage of the Tour de France cycling race in Wanze, Belgium. Armstrong said on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012, that he is finished fighting charges from the United States Anti-Doping Agency that he used performance-enhancing drugs during his unprecedented cycling career, a decision that could put his string of seven Tour de France titles in jeopardy.As the international fallout continues over the lifetime ban for doping handed down by the United States Anti-Doping Association to cycling legend Lance Armstrong, life goes on in the world of cycling.
Amanda Ragle of Nashville had her own race to worry about Saturday afternoon in downtown Chattanooga.
Ragle and her husband were in town to compete in the two-day Village Volkswagen River Gorge Omnium, which brought several riders to town to compete in a time trial, downtown criterium and road race as part of the Tennessee Bicycle Racing Association series.
“This is definitely the best TBRA race,” Ragle said as she warmed up for her Women’s Cat 3 race in the Lynskey Performance Southern Sunset Criterium downtown. “The support as far as bike shops and restaurants has been great. Everyone is so welcoming.”
And maybe that’s the enduring legacy of Armstrong despite his ban and the potential loss of his seven Tour de France titles. Since his reign of dominance began in the late 1990s, American cycling has seen exponential growth with more and more people throughout the country taking up road and mountain biking — both recreationally and competitively.