A name etched in gold, silver and bronze, Kristin Armstrong has been synonymous with a legend in the world of professional cycling. The cyclist has raced against time and managed to seamlessly weave through Olympic triumphs. In a one-to-one interview with Cycling Weekly, Armstrong has shared a lot of snippets of her journey that would mesmerize any cycling fan.
Evolving through the ‘Radman’ time trail bike and soaring to unprecedented heights, accomplishing three successive gold medals in the Olympics, Armstrong’s cycling odyssey began with a Trek 1500. Introspecting her career, the cyclist takes her through every twist and turn she experiences in her professional life.
Unconventional beginnings for Armstrong led to exceptional victory
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The cyclist behind the three successive successes at Beijing Olympics in 2008, London 2012 and Rio 2016, Armstrong’s cycling journey started with riding a bike for a small company in California, called the ‘Radman’. Little did she know that her humble beginning would bring her to the Olympics, triumphing with flying colors.
Her interest in cycling ignited from the prestigious race that was held in her hometown in Idaho known as the Hewlett Packard Women’s Challenge. Even though she was far away from the proximity of cycling, she drew strength from the women athletes. Looking up to cycling legends like Anna Millward and Kimberly Bruckner as idols, Armstrong stepped into the world of cycling.
Amidst creating history through her journey, she reached the pinnacle of success at the London 2012 Olympics. In the interview with Cycling Weekly, Armstrong shared a glimpse of her experience in London, “Definitely London 2012, with my son on the podium with me. I retired in 2009 and had a baby in 2010. Then I came out of retirement, and my whole goal was, ‘If I could go to London and win, and also have Lucas on the podium with me then that would be amazing.’ Now I look at it and I laugh, even when I say it out loud. He was two years old.” However, before the London Olympics, she had reached two significant milestones in both her personal and professional life.
Armstrong’s race for strength and enduring legacy
Armstrong’s journey took certain unexpected turns after retiring in 2009 and having a baby in 2010. However, she has been known for making a remarkable comeback in 2012, winning gold, and making her way to the podium accompanied by her two-year-old son Lucas. It was the cyclist’s love affair with time trialing that failed to keep her apart from the sport for much time.
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Armstrong even shared her view about the reason for being drawn to time trialing, “They say it’s the race of truth. In bike racing, there are so many uncontrollable, and I love road racing, I love the team aspect, but it’s not always the strongest rider who wins the bike race. In time trialing, it’s the strongest person who wins the bike race.”
Even though time trailing has been a sport that is filled with variables, the scope for showcasing individual strength appealed to the cyclist. The distinction between road racing and time trailing ignited the competitive spirit within Armstrong.
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As her accomplishments in the form of the Olympic medals rest in a glass case, there are the tangible evidence of Kristin Armstrong’s extraordinary career that surpassed all expectations. She has also extended her commitment towards the sport by aiding others in their medal pursuits and has carved a path that will forever live in the hearts of those she has inspired.
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