Armstrong coming back??

[Blueberry]

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/26609987/

Seems he's planning to ride in the 09 TDF.

CA

[Jiffer]

Wow, that's HUGE!!! Last I heard, Floyd Landis was going to be eligible to to the Tour de France again next year and I know he wants to do it again to prove himself. I wonder what Armstrong coming back will mean in relation to Landis.

Hmmmmmmmm!!!!!!!!! Very exciting news. Hope it's factual. I found an article on the Fox news site, as well.

[ttaylor508]

I can hardly wait until next year. What an exciting TDF 2009 will be!!!! DH has been speculating for years that he would make a come back.

[sundial]

VeloNews, which said Vanity Fair will publish an extensive article detailing Armstrong’s comeback, said the cyclist will race for no salary or bonuses and post his internally tested blood work online.

Interesting! I couldn't imagine Lance staying out of professional cycling for long. It's his lifeblood.

[Flur]

Internally tested boodwork? What does that mean? Does that mean that he's testing in addition to the sanctioned tests (like Slipstream) or instead of?

[Norse]

Sounds like it might be true: http://www.velonews.com/article/82892/sources-lance-armstrong-coming-back

[Aggie_Ama]

I hope so since it might help save the Tour of Georgia! My husband wanted to go there since it is staged right around his birthday and he has never been.

[SadieKate]

Internally tested boodwork? What does that mean? Does that mean that he's testing in addition to the sanctioned tests (like Slipstream) or instead of?

"Bruyneel also enlisted respected Danish researcher Rasmus Damsgaard to implement an independent internal anti-doping program as Damsgaard first did with Team CSC."

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/tdf2008/columns/story?id=3474241

[SheFly]

I hate to be the lone dissenter here, but I really wish it weren't true. This year's Tour was SO FUN to watch, with no clear winner until the very final week. And what might Lance's signing with Astana mean to Levi and Alberto? Levi definitely has the talent to win this on his own, and may now have to play a support role to Lance, again?

I actually may be less inclined to watch next year if he does make a comeback.

SheFly

[denda]

I agree with you Shefly.

[Fujichants]

What does Lance have to prove? Seriously...now that he's not cavorting about with young Hollywood starlets, I bet he has nothing better to do.

[Aggie_Ama]

I hate to be the lone dissenter here, but I really wish it weren't true. This year's Tour was SO FUN to watch, with no clear winner until the very final week. And what might Lance's signing with Astana mean to Levi and Alberto? Levi definitely has the talent to win this on his own, and may now have to play a support role to Lance, again?

I actually may be less inclined to watch next year if he does make a comeback.

SheFly

Actually, I very much have no interest in watching him. The total domination of the tour got so boring. I just want a Tour of Georgia so our April plans for my husband's birthday aren't ruined. He alone can't save the ToG but it could help lure sponsors, who knows? Otherwise living in Austin I was over the Armstrong hysteria before he retired!

[DDH]

I would love to watch Armstrong ride, but I would rather see Floyd come back and prove himself. I will watch either way and be excited to do so. Last year was my first year to watch so I have no favorites and just watch for the excitement and thrill of watching these guys do something I find so incredible.

[Susan126]

Oh I wouldn't worry about him winning shefly. At 37 almost 38 by next July I really don't think he can. But it will be fun to watch him try!

[andtckrtoo]

Oh I wouldn't worry about him winning shefly. At 37 almost 38 by next July I really don't think he can. But it will be fun to watch him try!

The Olympic female marathon gold medalist is 38. I wouldn't discount him. But, we'll see. I have mixed emotions about it. I would hate for him to come back and not give a fabulous race. I totally admire Lance and would hate to see him give a poor showing.

[jobob]

I'm with Susan. His dominance is definitely not a given.

[vinbek]

http://www.velonews.com/article/82892/sources-lance-armstrong-coming-back

I heard Heath Net/Maxxis is gone after this year; so what's up with the Landis/Heath net story?

[BikeDutchess]

Astana team: No plans for Lance to ride with us (http://sports.yahoo.com/sc/news?slug=ap-armstrong-comeback&prov=ap&type=lgns)

Y'gotta love all the rumors!

[bluebug32]

Interesting. So then if he doesn't win with all the heightened doping controls does that mean that he was doping for the last seven?

[Meaux]

I hate to be the lone dissenter here, but I really wish it weren't true. This year's Tour was SO FUN to watch, with no clear winner until the very final week. And what might Lance's signing with Astana mean to Levi and Alberto? Levi definitely has the talent to win this on his own, and may now have to play a support role to Lance, again?

I actually may be less inclined to watch next year if he does make a comeback.

SheFly

I am a HUGE Levi fan. I hate that he has been playing second to Contador. Levi has been rocking the Vuelta.

[firenze11]

It would be cool for me to watch him now that I've started cycling and am trying to figure out the pro stuff. Part of me thinks he's had his glory and part of me would love to see him out there again. Whatever he decides and whatever happens, I think he's pretty incredible and inspirational.

[VeloVT]

Astana team: No plans for Lance to ride with us (http://sports.yahoo.com/sc/news?slug=ap-armstrong-comeback&prov=ap&type=lgns)


This story is hitting me emotionally at the level of celebrity gossip right now, I'm not having a strong reaction one way or the other. You can choose to read something about the way I feel about Lance Armstrong into that if you wish.

But this caught my attention from the article above:

"Armstrong did not immediately respond to a text message [...] left by the AP. "

So the AP is text messaging people for stories now??? Would YOU respond to a text message from the AP? I sure wouldn't -- sounds like a great way to get a really unflattering quote taken completely out of context... and what an invasion of privacy... it just seems totally beyond...

[Aggie_Ama]

Liza- He is celebrity gossip! I got real tired of focusing on which young starlet he was running around with. He gave some interview recently that said something like "I am single and having fun, blah blah". Unfortunately while he is cavorting with this starlets his kids here in Austin are bombarded with who he was photoed on town with in our local paper. Heck maybe he and his wife shelter them from it or the kids don't care. I don't know.

He gives the interview to Fox not a credible Cycling Publication:

http://msn.foxsports.com/other/story/8541742?MSNHPHMA

[chutch]

I have mixed feelings. On the one hand, I was a lance fan when he was riding but my opinion of him has fallen since he retired (did anyone see the story on how much water he uses- maybe i read that here, don't remember).

And the tour is much more fun to watch when you are seeing emerging talent....

[ridebikeme]

I'm with Shefly.... Lance is a tremendous athlete, but it's time to let the others shine! I would love to see a more competitve TDF with Floyd returning, adn possibly even Rock Racing. It's time for some new blood for people to get excited about... Lance returning for a season and then retiring again isn't all that exciting... remember the French didn't like him anyway and i'm not sure whether it's good for the sport either. Let Levi and Alberto ride, and let's pass along the torch. Lance you retired while you were on top leave it that way!!!

[GLC1968]

I'm thinking, that if he does come back he won't be dominating the field this time anyway. And that's true, I'd love to see Levi, Lance, Landis...all of them going at it in the same field. How much fun would that be?

I think it could a great race to watch!

[sundial]

Yahoo (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080909/ap_on_sp_ot/cyc_armstrong_comeback) has a blurb about his return to the TDF. I'm still wondering if it's still speculation that he's coming out of retirement. :confused:

[SadieKate]

From his own mouth, yes.

http://www.livestrong.com/lance2009/

[vinbek]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080909/ap_on_sp_ot/cyc_armstrong_comeback

[Eden]

hmmmm hopefully its just a little exhibition style stuff.... I'd hate to see him fall into that trap. I thought he really did the smart thing by getting out when he was still on top. Too many racers have seen a rather ignominious retreat from the cycling scene when they've been tempted by just one more win....

[susan.wells]

It's posted at Carmichael Training Systems (http://www.trainright.com/news.asp?uid=3913&p=1649)also!

[TxDoc]

Oh I wouldn't worry about him winning shefly. At 37 almost 38 by next July I really don't think he can. But it will be fun to watch him try!

I would not be so sure - he may surprise everyone with a comeback and win as well...

[TrekTheKaty]

Confirmed in an interview with Vanity Fair:

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2008/09/armstrong200809

Vanity Fair? Really?

[SadieKate]

Confirmed in an interview with Vanity Fair:

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2008/09/armstrong200809

Vanity Fair? Really?

Why not Vanity Fair? His purpose is to take the cancer message global. That means talking to more than bike magazines. Follow the money.

[Flur]

Interesting. So then if he doesn't win with all the heightened doping controls does that mean that he was doping for the last seven?

I'm not 100% convinced that he didn't dope during his previous wins. I'm curious to see how this goes for him.

[TxDoc]

Confirmed by Lance...
http://livestrongblog.org/2008/09/09/statement-by-lance-armstrong-regarding-global-cancer-fight-and-his-return-to-professional-cycling

[Wilda S]

I think it's a great thing for cycling. I know my Dad's beside himself with joy!

[PinkBike]

when i first heard the rumor, i though "YES!!" especially if he does the tour of california and i can actually see him ride up close and personal.

then i thought, how would he possibly fit into astana, with both levi and alberto being team leaders themselves?

then i thought, what if he AND floyd AND tyler AND ivan were ALL in next year's tour - that would be a great matchup!

then i stopped thinking and went riding.

[Dogmama]

then i stopped thinking and went riding.

Good idea.

I hope it isn't like Michael Jordan's comeback on the basketball court. It was almost embarrassing to watch.

[crazycanuck]

I had a thought...If he wants to the TDF, let's just give him the yellow jersey now & get it over with

[Fredwina]

he broke his Madone frame and needed a new one :)

[arielmoon]

BF and I were hoping to make it up to watch some of tour of Georgia. I think it was just made a top priority!

[Peanut03]

Regarding Lance coming back.....all is right in my world. I am thrilled to see him come back and curious to see how he does. No doubt he'll be in top form at the right time. If he goes with Astana, what does that mean for Levi and Alberto - and how do they really feel. I'm also curious because his team has always been built around him. Astana has not been "his" team. I have also read that he will not be collecting a salary or a bonus money. I think that's great - not to fret, he'll be making money off his sponsorships...more than I can even imagine! I'm looking forward to next season with Lance and also with Floyd coming back.

LIVESTRONG

[Aggie_Ama]

BF and I were hoping to make it up to watch some of tour of Georgia. I think it was just made a top priority!

I wouldn't make your plans yet, last I saw the Tour of Georgia was a no go. They are having sponsorship issues although if Lance was going to race it they might be able to save it. But that is a big MIGHT. :( We were hoping to go out because it usually crosses my husband's birthday and he wants to see them climb Brasstown Bald.

[roadie gal]

I have no strong feelings either way, if he rides or not. But if he rides I'm very curious to see how he behaves if he ISN'T on top. Will he act "like a gentleman" or will he be a whiny baby?

[chicago]

don't blame him... he's probably bored... after all I'm bored when I'm not riding:D

[VeloVT]

I thought this post was pretty funny (apologies to those who dislike BSNYC):

http://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/2008/09/this-just-in-big-news-in-pro-cycling.html