The Return of Lance Armstrong

[BeBop]

The 36-year-old Armstrong told Vanity Fair in an exclusive interview posted on its Web site Tuesday that he was inspired to return after finishing second last month in the Leadville 100, a lung-searing 100-mile mountain bike race through the Colorado Rockies.

"This kind of obscure bike race, totally kick-started my engine," he told the magazine. "I'm going to try and win an eighth Tour de France."

The sport and particularly the Tour have missed his star power, even though he has been a controversial figure at times.

The 2009 Tour "is the intention," Armstrong's spokesman Mark Higgins told The Associated Press, "but we've got some homework to do over there."

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/more...g.ap/index.html

[RDK]

Why a joke? It's not like he hasn't won it in the past.

[BeBop]

Armstrong's the world's biggest media whore.

[AllenLowe]

I think he's nuts -

[AllenLowe]

he's got a lot of balls -

[AllenLowe]

that decision takes testicular fortitude -

[BeBop]

I think he's nuts -

I'm trying not to over-analyze this.

[BeBop]

he's got a lot of balls -

that decision takes testicular fortitude -

It's becoming increasingly difficult (to not over-analyze).

[BeBop]

he's got a lot of balls -

that decision takes testicular fortitude -

It's becoming increasingly difficult (to not over-analyze).

Or, should I say "over-scro-tinize?"

Now you got me doing it! Knock it off.

[tonym]

Interesting. He was linked with coming back for Astana, a team with their fair share of... ''ahem''... 'baggage'.

Now they claim it's not true as if to disassociate themselves with Armstrong. Who could say why though is beyond me....

Maybe Rock Racing should pay him; the rag tag bunch of ex(?) dopers with crash liability extraordinaire Tyler Hamilton could do with a bit of (once again...ahem...) 'positive' publicity.

[T.D.]

Seems serious.

But I can't imagine the TdF (or any other races run by the "ASO" group) letting him in. And Astana is already pissed about being excluded from the Tour in '08.

Tony's Rock Racing suggestion is a very good one, but I can't imagine the mega-egos of LANCE and RR impresario Michael Ball (absolutely no kidding, that's his real name ) coexisting. Ball already hired the flamboyant Mario Cipollini early this year, but Cipo quit after a clash of titanic egos.

P.S...Holy crap, now Cyclingnews says it's confirmed!

Here's another take.

Edited September 9, 2008 by T.D.

[catesta]

Armstrong's the world's biggest media whore.

I don't know about biggest, but he is up there.

[vajerzy]

He's the Roger Clemens of cycling.....or Brett Favre......

If he wants to do it- go for it- that's one difficult event.

What team would take him- and allow him to be the winner?

[.:.impossible]

When was Brett Favre accused of doping?

[AllenLowe]

he's getting teste -

[vajerzy]

When was Brett Favre accused of doping?

He leaves....he comes back....no doping.