Controversy!Media MonsterVideo

Here Are A Few Of The Best Ironic Lance Armstrong Inspirational Commercials

Back before Lance Armstrong’s legacy was tarnished, years prior to today’s news that Armstrong was parting ways with Nike and Livestrong, the “seven-time Tour de France winner” starred in a bunch of inspirational commercials for both outlets. The events of the last few weeks, which came to a head today, have rendered these commercials laughably ironic. Here are a few of the best.

“This Is My Body”

Without a doubt, this ad is the the leader of the pack. You don’t need to go any further than Lance’s narration, which begins, “This is my body and I can do whatever I want to it.” But they did go further than that, and showed Lance in a room with medical professionals, injecting stuff into his arm. The commercial was Armstrong’s out-and-out public denial of doping. You wouldn’t know irony better if it came up and injected stuff into your arm.

“Driven”

Again, it won’t get more ironic than Lance saying “The critics say I’m arrogant, a doper, washed up, a fraud.” Well Lance, it looks like you’re some of those things. If not all. Now listen, I’m not deriding an ad for boasting resiliency in cancer patients — that part is fine. But when you factor in the alleged cheater who championed this contingent, well, that’s why it’s on this list.

“Enjoy the Weather”

OK, so here you need to dig a little deeper for the ironic message, but there’s still not much in the way of subtlety. Lance is mountain biking through the woods with friends or teammates or whoever they are, and one by one they all start wiping out as Lance emerges as the last one standing. It’s not unlike the environment Lance’s real life teammates felt like they were being thrust into when they entered the dangerous world of professional cycling.

“Feed the Warrior”

‘Roid rage and a pre-The Office Zach Woods. Enough said.

“Magnet”

OK, I’ll admit this is the hardest one to twist. I got the whole “We’re onto you, breathing down your neck” kind of vibe. It’s a stretch, but let’s be honest, any commercial featuring Lance Armstrong doing something productive or inspirational on or off a bike just screams irony at this point.

Follow Jordan Rabinowitz