AUSTIN, United States // Disgraced US cyclist Lance Armstrong is open to the idea of a one-on-one race showdown with Australian triathlon star Chris McCormack, a two-time World Ironman champion.
McCormack, the 2007 and 2010 World Ironman champion, also captured the 1997 International Triathlon Union world crown and the 2012 ITU Long Distance world title.
Armstrong had hoped to enter the Ironman and triathlon events but his admission of taking performance-enhancing drugs after being stripped of his seven Tour de France titles left him ineligible for any sanctioned events requiring World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) tests.
But in an interview on Triathlete magazine’s website, McCormack made public his challenge to face Armstrong in a man-on-man triathlon challenge.
“I said ‘I will race you, mate.’ I don’t even care if there are no accolades. No one around. I just want to race you. Just two old blokes. No excuses,’” McCormack told the magazine.
“Lance has done some horrible things and some amazing things athletically, but he is still a competitor and I have always been inspired by racing competitors.
“He’s a prickly personality and I would love to go around and have a crack at him.”
McCormack, 40, tweeted Armstrong, 42, a message saying, “you still on old number? DM me on twitter.”
Armstrong’s message to “Macca” was: “Hey @MaccaNow - if you’re serious then gimme a call. Let’s discuss.”