ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, May 2, 1996 TAG: 9605020008
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: SPORTS EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DOUG DOUGHTY STAFF WRITER
THE TOUR DuPONT offers this former teammate of Lance Armstrong a rebirth - at age 32.
Norman Alvis, who likes to write about cycling and other non-fictional subjects, was asked recently what angle he would take in writing his own story.
``I go for the more intuitive side,'' Alvis said. ``I try to visualize the different things that can happen in a race, so, when they do happen, I can respond with the best move.''
He almost makes it sound like a chess match.
``I play chess, as well,'' Alvis said matter of factly. ``It's a logic that appeals to me - the working out of the different scenarios ahead of time so that I can react instinctively when they happen.''
Alvis never could have predicted the way his career has turned out; otherwise, he would have accepted ``checkmate'' years ago. In his second year with Team Saturn, Alvis is in the midst of a rebirth.
``There are riders who reach their peak in their early 20s,'' Alvis said. ``I think, if you ask Lance Armstrong what he sees himself doing at age 32, he won't say `bike racing.' I'm 32 and I'm stronger than I've ever been in my cycling career. It varies from rider to rider.''
The analogy to Armstrong, 24, was most fitting because he and Alvis once were teammates with Motorola. Indeed, Alvis served as a ``domestique'' for Armstrong, meaning he sacrificed any personal glory in order to help Armstrong and the team win.
``He had to get up and race whenever they told him to,'' said Alvis' wife, Lisa. ``One side effect is they don't get time to rest. Your body reacts best when it can rest. Norm never really could move up to a higher level because he wasn't able to work for himself.''
It was only after the switch to Team Saturn that Alvis could concentrate on his own cycling.
``I would have been in position five years ago to do what I'm doing now,'' said Alvis, who, at 6 feet 2 and 180 pounds, is big by international cycling standards. ``I didn't necessarily know it at the time.
``Certainly, over that time, I've gained a lot of experience and I have become a better rider. Had I been in a different position, I might have done different things. That's not to say I regret what I've done. Not at all. I've had a wonderful career so far.''
Alvis is a five-time national champion who captured the USPRO championship last year. He finished in the top five in three stages of the Tour DuPont and finished 13th last year in only his second appearance in the event.
At this point in his career, there is no more important race for Alvis than the Tour DuPont.
``My entire season so far has been geared toward training for the Tour DuPont and the Olympic Trials,'' said Alvis, a member of the U.S. Olympic Team in 1988.
Virtually all of the top American riders will participate in the Olympic Trials, which begin May 19 in Seattle - seven days after the Tour DuPont ends. However, only the trials winner is guaranteed a spot on the five-member U.S. road-racing team.
``I think you'll see a lot of the American riders holding back in the Tour DuPont,'' Alvis said. ``Then, there probably will be some riders who don't feel they have a chance to make the Olympic team and they will be racing harder in the Tour DuPont.''
Alvis is optimistic he can give his best effort in both events.
``That's part of the reason that I haven't concentrated on the early races this year,'' Alvis said. ``I want to make sure I'm fresh for the whole month of May.
``Granted, the Olympic Games only come along once every four years and you can't disregard that, but the Tour DuPont is the biggest race in America. That's our bread and butter as pros. You want to have a good showing, no matter what follows.''
Periodic testing has shown Alvis is stronger than last year and he has become more familiar with the route, although some sections, like Stage 5 from Mount Airy, N.C., to Roanoke, are new or have undergone significant changes.
``When you've got a good finish, like the one at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, it gives you an advantage to know where a sharp turn or a steep hill is,'' he said. ``Not all of those things are on the profile, and if you know some of the details, it's a big help psychologically.''
Team Saturn had a training camp in Greenville, S.C., and Alvis and some of his teammates took day trips to investigate some of the new routes. They did not make it to Roanoke, which held a time trial last year but was awarded a finish - over a completely different route - this time.
Alvis hopes to be among the top 10 finishers overall, but his chief aim is to win a stage.
``I can improve on last year,'' he said, ``but I'm not going to concentrate on that. A stage win is my best shot. It's a better goal than the overall. It would be significant for me personally - for my resume and my media attention - and significant for the team because it brings a lot of press.
``The stage I have in mind is Richmond [today's Stage 2, starting in Fredericksburg]. The two time trials are also stages where I would hope to do something.''
In his mind, the chess pieces are in motion and he's picturing himself capturing the king right now.
LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Alvis.by CNB