Lance Armstrong Sees the Silver Lining in Third Place Finish

Laurent Rebours/AP

Growing up with cycling legend Lance Armstrong for a father, it’s easy to see how twins Isabelle and Grace, 7 ½, and 9 ½-year-old Luke could view their dad as a winner — and never anything else.

That’s why the 37-year-old seven time Tour de France winner says his third place finish in this years’ race is actually “a healthy thing” for all involved. He elaborates,

“Because they saw their dad that never lost, and the kids in their class [say] ‘your dad never loses,’ so it’s good for them to see dad get third and still be cool with that and still be happy.”

Lance — who is also dad to new baby Maxwell ‘Max’ Edward, 7 weeks, with girlfriend Anna Hansen — harbors no regrets about his comeback. “I’m realistic,” he explains. “I did everything I could.”

Isabelle, Grace and Luke are Lance’s children with ex-wife Kristin Richard.

Source: NBC Sports

– Missy

Comments

I admire Lance, however, his comment about his kids and their classmates seeing him come in 3rd as opposed to 1st place sounded a tad egotistical to me!

- brook on July 27th, 2009

Aww Max is such a cutie! I like how Max Armstrong sounds similar to Lance Armstrong too! Anna looks like Naomi Watts in this picture!

- Ashley on July 27th, 2009

I don’t like babies wearing shoes until they are able to walk. Booties are the answer.

- Helen on July 27th, 2009

I actually thinks she looks like Rebecca Rominj.

- Max'sMom on July 27th, 2009

I really appreciate Lance’s attitude in this article! It’s important that his children see that the world won’t collapse if Dad doesn’t win the race. Max is a precious little boy. Congratulations to Lance and Anna on their beautiful son and to Luke, Isabelle and Grace on their new brother!

- Tee on July 27th, 2009

Anna Hansen reminds me a lot of Tiger Woods’ wife, Elin.

- Susan on July 27th, 2009

Oh I think his shoes are adorable!

- Ana on July 27th, 2009

His older kids must be jealous with the new baby.

- Anne on July 27th, 2009

I think Lance is just saying it like it is in this situation. It doesn’t seem egotistical to me, just realistic, making sure his kids know that life isn’t about winning all the time.

Those little shoes are cute on Max! They look like soft-soled shoes so they’re quite like booties, not shoes. Anna is looking really well in the picture, although I’m sure I can detect a hint of tiredness despite the sunglasses! Lol.

- Nikki on July 27th, 2009

Gosh I love those little baby Nike’s. Adorable baby .

- Alex on July 27th, 2009

The tiny nikes look suspiciously like product placement to me. There’s a little swoosh on the mom too. Yuck.

- Bird on July 27th, 2009

Um, Nike has been one of Lance’s biggest sponsors for years and years and years…it’s not that surprising. He also has done an athletic wear collection with them.

Max is getting so big already and Anna look wonderful.

- Kara on July 27th, 2009

Ya she does look like Naomi Watts and Rebecca Romijn. I love the way this little baby looks. Guess he and Kate Hudson weren’t meant to be together, maybe Kate and A-rod are, and Lance and Anna are meant to be together.

- Holly on July 27th, 2009

Nike is a partner with Lance’s Livestrong cancer foundation. Proceeds from their whole line of black/yellow products go to fighting cancer and helping patients and their families get back on their feet.

Perhaps we should stop and think before we make snap judgments, hm?

- kc on July 28th, 2009

well said kc

- natz on July 28th, 2009

Bird- The shoes on Max’s feet are NOT sold @ retail- they were made especially for Max in the Livestrong Yellow in honor of Lance’s fight against cancer. Anna is also wearing Livestrong gear since that has been the focus of his Tour this year and the reason he returned.
Agree with KC and Natz on making snap judgements. Lance’s point was to get the product and message in front of people, which is he doing here.

- DMM on July 28th, 2009

Lance Girlfriend is soooo pretty, i cant really see max but i am sure he will be a handsome little guy with that pretty of a mother

- terri on July 28th, 2009

At least Lance is keeping in shape.

- Baby Carriers Backpacks on July 29th, 2009

Susan: I thought the exact same thing, she looks a lot like Tiger Woods’ wife. She might be Swedish too given her name is Anna Hansen. Does anybody know if she is?

- leonor on July 30th, 2009