Cycling Down Under -- It’s not like here

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ADELAIDE, Australia -- When you get off the Qantas flight at the Adelaide airport (and if you’re coming from Los Angeles you aren’t certain what you’ll be seeing) you are greeted with a life-sized poster of Lance Armstrong. Really. It’s your welcome to the Tour Down Under cycling race.

Armstrong is making his re-entry into competitive cycling here in South Australia, far away from his home (Texas) and the flashpoint of all things cycling (France) but in a place that is entranced with its Tour Down Under. At the Tour Down Under Village later this afternoon, you can get your photo taken while holding a baby koala or kangaroo, though I suspect the cycling fans who are camped out in front of the Hilton across the street would rather get their picture taken with Armstrong.

Around the corner from the Hilton is the Central Market, which sells kangaroo meat marinated in red wine and garlic. But if I hold one can I eat one? Maybe not.

And in 45 minutes all thoughts of kangaroos and lunch will disappear because Lance Armstrong is going to talk. Credential requests for this sleepy, friendly bike race that meanders through wine country (Barossa Valley) and seaside villages, and is usually a chance for the peloton to drop any lingering off-season weight gain and assess the state of their legs and their competition, is tossed upside-down this year because Armstrong has arrived. What are his intentions, to win races, big ones or small? To raise awareness of cancer and raise more money for his cancer-fighting foundation? Or both?

Security is forming around the perimeters of this Hilton (yes, I watch 24). Will update with words from Lance in a bit.

-- Diane Pucin