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Tuesday
July 21, 2009
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Lance Armstrong's Success Has Helped Boost Interest In Cycling

USA Cycling CEO Says Armstrong Shows Legit
Professional Opportunities Exist In The Sport
USA Cycling CEO Steve Johnson said the success of cyclist Lance Armstrong shows "there are legitimate professional opportunities in the sport of cycling," according to Lynn Zinser of the N.Y. TIMES. Johnson: "As a result of that, we've seen a dramatic increase in the number of individuals who have decided to become bike racers; our junior numbers have doubled since 2000." Johnson said when Armstrong was at the "top of the sport, our annual growth rates were, in terms of membership numbers," around 5%. Johnson noted when Armstrong retired in '05, the sport's growth "did drop down to about" 3% for a "couple of years." But now that Armstrong has returned to cycling, the sport's growth rates in the U.S. are "back to 4.5[%] or close to 5." Johnson said of Armstrong's impact on the '09 Tour de France, "Crowds were down for a couple of years. Now they're back up. Interest worldwide is up. And it's because Lance is back" (N.Y. TIMES, 7/17).

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