Lance Armstrong surprises Ojai

The Lemire Memorial Grand Prix was held in Ojai on Sunday, and none other than Lance Armstrong, winner of six consecutive Tour de France races, showed up.

Visiting Los Angeles, Armstrong asked a friend if there were any races going on, and was put in touch with the Grand Prix organizers.  Armstrong is tuning up for a run at a seventh straight title.  He finished 15th in the 90-minute criterium race.

Said Ojai resident Joan Welborn, who got Lance Armstrong's autograph before the start, "That is something that I can take with me to my deathbed.  My friends go to France to watch him race in the Tour, and I didn't even have to leave Ojai."