Cycling: Robin Williams - Lance's Friend, Tour de France Fan

From James Raia:

Robin Williams, cyclist, comedian, actor, director, friend of Lance Armstrong and Tour de France ambassador, attended cycling's grand event for the fourth time last July.

He doesn't purposely draw attention to himself, but the word spreads quickly when Williams arrives at the race. He obliges requests, and gives of his time willingly.

For the 100th anniversary event, Williams arrived in Bordeaux on Thursday night July 24. The next morning, he was seemingly ready to join the peloton for the 18th stage to Saint Maixent-L'Ecole.

Always enthusiastic and his quick-wit, rapid-fire persona ready, he was escorted to The Village, the area set up in each start city for race officials, team, media, VIP and local dignitaries, by Jim Ochowicz, the former director of the Motorola Cycling Team.

Williams didn't appear too from the fitness level of some of the riders. He was trim and tan. As an avid amateur cyclist, Williams participates often as the cyclist on triathlon teams and he appears regularly at charity cycling events. He knows the nuances of the sport well.

Williams and Armstrong have been friends for several years, and they ride together as their respective schedules permit.

With two other reporters, I interviewed Williams for about 20 minutes on the morning of the 18th stage. Wearing a faded T-shirt bearing the image of Jacques Cousteau, the legendary French oceanographer.

Since the image on the shirt was faded, I asked, "Robin, are you wearing a Jerry Garcia T-shirt? Williams replied: "Are you off your medication? No, it's a Cousteau T-shirt. He's Jerry Garcia underwater."

So began a jovial session.

Williams hadn't yet visited with Armstrong, but he planned to spend the day on the course in a race vehicle and was eager to visit with his friend, who he often refers to as "Brother Lance."

The interview, in part, follows:

Reporter: Have you been watching the race a lot?

Robin Williams: Yes, there have been so many things between crashes and great moments. I think people in the last few days have seen two great things - the crash and then Ullrich waiting and also seeing Tyler (Hamilton). It's been a double bill.

Reporter: Are you watching on OLN?

RW: Yes, my wife has been waking me (Williams feigned like his wife was shoving him out of bed.) I actually yelled at the TV when Lance crashed. LOOK THEY GRABBED HIM!

(Williams then went into a 30-second impression of a French child. "I had the musette and he (Armstrong) tried to grab it from me."

Reporter: Have you had a chance to chat with Lance yet?

RW: No, not yet. I just got in last night from Vancouver. I was finishing a movie.

Reporter: Oh, what it's called?

RW: It's called Final Cut. It's about circumcision.

Reporter: Are people watching at home just for Lance or do you think it's now more for the Tour?

RW: I think it's both, but I think now it's The Tour. Because you have Tyler, and Lance and Ullrich and something everyday. And they don't just get to watch the 'Greatest Hits.' They can see it and watch the whole thing. They can pick up the strategy. They're picking up on Tyler and Ullrich and other things and that it's the endurance race of all endurance races. And they're getting it.

Reporter: What do you think will happen in the great final showdown?

RW: I think Brother Lance is ready for it. If he has hydrated, he'll be OK. He needs it, like water, something non-alcoholic. If he's hydrated, I think it will be great. I think he's ready and loaded for bear. I think it will be one of the great time trials. You've got two different kinds of riders -- Big Gears, Spinning. Be There. WWW. Full Contact Cycling.

Reporter: What have you made of Ullrich?

RW: I think he's been amazing. Yes, he broke away that day and then he was hanging in, and then that time trial, well that's when he made his big break. With all these different stages, there has been something for everybody.

Reporter: Have you bothered to explain to friends why Ullrich waited?

RW: Yes, but it's very difficult. They're like, 'Why didn't he just step on him?' I say, 'Hey, Tommie. It's not like Jersey.' "

© Copyright 2003, James Raia

Posted with the permission of James Raia.

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