Great News for T D F Fans

[Roadrunner]

I found this article on Eurosport.

Armstrong to ride Tour de France

The answer is yes. Lance Armstrong on Wednesday committed to riding for his seventh straight Tour de France victory this summer, according to an official statement. The 33-year old Texan also confirmed he would open his season with Paris-Nice before competing in the Tour of Flanders.



NEWS: Armstrong in for Paris-Nice
Great White

The American's 2005 racing schedule, announced by his Discovery Channel team, also includes the Tour of Georgia in the United States.

"I look forward to achieving my goal of a seventh Tour de France (victory)," Armstrong, who claimed an unprecedented sixth title last year, told the Discovery Channel website.

"I am excited to get back on the bike and start racing although my condition is far from perfect.

"(We) will evaluate my fitness later this spring and possibly add some races to the calendar."

The chairman of the company which organises the Tour de France, Jean-Marie Leblanc, was pleased that Armstrong had decided to have another go at the world's most gruelling cycling race.

"I knew that under the contract between Lance and his new sponsor Discovery Channel he would have to race in the Tour at least one more time, either in 2005 or in 2006," Leblanc said.

"Lance has decided to take up the challenge now which is good."

Armstrong won six stages, including the team time trial, on his way to last year's triumph and was barely challenged, except by Italian Ivan Basso in the Alps stages.

"I love Tour de France events which are open, with no clear favourite, but having one again is going to be exciting," Leblanc added.

Armstrong kept fans guessing about his plans for this season after Discovery Channel took over from US Postal as his team's sponsors with an official presentation in January.

SPRING RACES

He had said that he wanted to focus on the spring races he had neglected so far, perhaps an attempt to prove he could have success in other races.

"I've had contacts with (Discovery Channel team manager) Johan Bruyneel a few days ago which led me think that things were changing in our favour," Leblanc said.

"Johan said that Lance wanted to enter either the Criterium, the Dauphine Libere or the Tour of Switzerland to prepare for the Tour de France."

Armstrong, who survived testicular cancer before his six victories, has won 23 stages in the Tour de France since first taking part in 1993.

[AutumnBreez]

Lucky number 7

That is good to hear that he's up for the challenge.

[MightyMitre]

I'm still unsure he'll actually ride - even though he's said he will. Each year it's got progressively harder for him to win and I don't think he's the kind of guy who'd be happy with 2nd place.

I think it would be great if he wasn't there - it's time to let someone else have a go. A lot of the old Skool have retired now, Richard Virenque, Alex Zulle... And despite working hard Cipo and Erik Zable are winding down. Let the new blood have a go - Boonen, Cunego, Basso and others. I've seen the Armstrong Show for the last 6 years and I'm bored. Time to ring the changes!

[nuthatch]

Oh, MM! That's sacrilegious talk for some US fans! HA!

Speaking of the Discovery boys, what's going on in the Paris-Nice race? Is the weather too much for them or are they just putting in an appearance and winning is not important? I'm new to following pro tours so I don't know all the psychology.

I agree, it would be much more exciting to have an uncertain outcome to the TdF - who knows? - maybe we'll be surprised this summer!

[MightyMitre]

Hi Nuthatch. As you can tell I'm not an Armstrong fan. I don't think he's the best rider 'ever', but I do respect his committment and dedication. Afterall, no one would ever get 6 TdF wins without being something special.

As far as Paris-Nice goes - just about to switch on to British Eurosport. The stage yesterday and today is being cut short due to snow, which is ironic since this race is know as the Race to the Sun!

In the opening TT on Sunday Armstrong came 100 and something, mainly because he'd only been back in Europe for 2 days and still had some jet lag. He's also been making it clear he's just riding this event to get some race miles in his legs.

Still getting used to seeing the Disco boys in their new kit.

[Susan126]

I watched the Oprah Show on February 11th (I also taped it ), but anyway Oprah asked Lance if he was going to ride in this years TDF and he said, "Yes!" It was a great show too. Oprah made a challenge to her viewing audience on that show. And wait until you hear this . . . this shows you how much clout Oprah has. Oprah challenged her viewers to beat the prior record of 382,000. She explained how the money raised would go towards cancer research, a great cause! Well she helped set a new one day sale of those yellow wrist bands. Remember the old one day record was 382,000 yellow wrist bands . . . well with the power of Oprah the new record for a one day sale . . . . . .

was over 900,000, plus an additional 300,00 more on Saturday!

Total raised thanks to Lance and the Lance Armstrong Foundation today is 33 million dollars for cancer research! Go Lance! Go Oprah! My two heros!

[caligurl]

[QUOTE=Susan126]I watched the Oprah Show on February 11th (I also taped it ), but anyway Oprah asked Lance if he was going to ride in this years TDF and he said, "Yes!" It was a great show too.
[QUOTE]

actually... back when the show was aired.. he only said that yes he would ride in the tour again.. he did NOT say this year! (as per his discovery contract.. he is/was obligated to ride one more time.. his contract is 2 years.. that meant this year or next year) we replayed it several times to make sure he didn't specify THIS year..... as no one knew yet.. then the following weekend or so.. he finally made the announcement! woo hoo!

[cruziegirl]

While I'm a big LA fan I have to say that I rather agree with MightyMitre. I completely understand Lance wanting to ride the Tour again and go for a 7th win but I want to see the new guns take over. I want to see Ivan Basso or Cunego or Popovich do their stuff. I'm sorry but I just don't think Jan Ullrich is ever going to win the Tour again (now watch him make a liar out of me this year!) I have the utmost respect for Ullrich but I just don't think he has the tactical sense and the get-bulldog-mean aspect that Lance has. However, if Lance is in the race I'll be cheering for him...the guy truly inspires me.
As for the Paris-Nice race, those guys are going to get frostbite any day now! They had to shorten the second stage by like 100k and today's stage had to be re-routed to avoid a bunch of snow in the Massif Centrale. Tom Boonen is wearing the leader's jersey and Reynes won today's stage.

[bounceswoosh]

I'm still unsure he'll actually ride - even though he's said he will. Each year it's got progressively harder for him to win and I don't think he's the kind of guy who'd be happy with 2nd place.

I get a different vibe from him. I agree he wouldn't be happy in second place, but I don't think he'd want people saying that he gave up because he knew he couldn't win and wanted to quit while he was ahead. That seems like too much of a "quitter" mentality for him.

I think it would be great if he wasn't there - it's time to let someone else have a go. A lot of the old Skool have retired now, Richard Virenque, Alex Zulle... And despite working hard Cipo and Erik Zable are winding down. Let the new blood have a go - Boonen, Cunego, Basso and others. I've seen the Armstrong Show for the last 6 years and I'm bored. Time to ring the changes!

I agree that it would be a very different Tour without Lance, and it would be interesting. And I'm sure we'll see it soon, but it might not be this year.

[Susan126]

actually... back when the show was aired.. he only said that yes he would ride in the tour again.. he did NOT say this year! (as per his discovery contract.. he is/was obligated to ride one more time.. his contract is 2 years.. that meant this year or next year) we replayed it several times to make sure he didn't specify THIS year..... as no one knew yet.. then the following weekend or so.. he finally made the announcement! woo hoo!

I watched the show on the 11th, I haven't rewatched it from the recording I made. I will do that tonight after work. I'll have to be more careful of what I say
what's the saying about a tranquil mind? By a tranquil mind I mean nothing else than a mind well ordered. . . . . no tranquilty here today so my mind is out of order today! sorry about the incorrect info! Wishful thinking on my part at the time?!

[MightyMitre]

I get a different vibe from him. I agree he wouldn't be happy in second place, but I don't think he'd want people saying that he gave up because he knew he couldn't win and wanted to quit while he was ahead. That seems like too much of a "quitter" mentality for him.

Yeh - that's a very good point.

I also have to agree with cruziegirl - although I've always rooted for Ullrich and it breaks my heart to admit it, but I don't think he'll win another Tour either. ( Also waiting to be made out a liar )


On another note, once he finally does hang up his wheels can you see Armstrong turning Director Sportif or do you think he'll head in another direction, perhaps promoting his Livestrong stuff further? I wonder what the future holds...

[jobob]

On another note, once he finally does hang up his wheels can you see Armstrong turning Director Sportif

Good heavens, no, that's about the last thing I would envision him doing !

or do you think he'll head in another direction, perhaps promoting his Livestrong stuff further?

That's more what I'm thinking - that and promoting All Other Things Lance

[BikeMomma]

Hey Gals -

Regarding Paris-Nice, I just read this update (I'm sure he's bummed):

Armstrong drops out of Paris-Nice race

March 9, 2005
AP - Mar 9, 11:08 am EST

CRAPONNE-SUR-ARZON, France (AP) -- Six-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong dropped out of the Paris-Nice race after the event's third stage Wednesday, citing a sore throat.

Armstrong finished 99th in the stage, which was won by Spain's Vicente Reynes -- his first professional victory.

``Lance woke up this morning with a sore throat and with the cold weather, he began to feel worse throughout the day,'' manager Johan Bruyneel said in a release posted Wednesday on Armstrong's Discovery team Web site.

Bruyneel said Armstrong was returning to his home in Girona, Spain, for treatment.

``I will return to Spain to rest up and be back on the bike in a couple of days,'' Armstrong said in the release.

Reynes, of the Illes Balears team, completed the 73-mile stage from Thiers to Craponne-Sur-Arzon in 2 hours, 40 minutes, 51 seconds. Belgium's Tom Boonen retained the overall lead, three seconds ahead of Dutch rider Erik Dekker and four seconds ahead of Reynes.

Armstrong, who was using the event as a warm-up for his bid to win a seventh straight Tour de France title this summer, was in 62nd place overall after Wednesday's stage, 1:35 behind Boonen.

American riders Guido Trenti and Fred Rodriguez were second and third, respectively, in the same time.

The leg was shortened because of bad weather for the second straight day, with nearly 35 miles cut Wednesday. Armstrong was disappointed with the shortened stages.

``I came to do kilometers and start my season, but the weather said, 'No,''' he said.

Updated on Wednesday, Mar 9, 2005

[bounceswoosh]

My husband just pointed out this article:

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?...feb16newsflash

After much speculation, Lance Armstrong finally announced his initial 2005 racing schedule, one that will include this summer's Tour de France where he will go for a seventh straight victory.

No direct quote from him, though =/

[fixedgeargirl]

Yeh - that's a very good point.

I also have to agree with cruziegirl - although I've always rooted for Ullrich and it breaks my heart to admit it, but I don't think he'll win another Tour either. ( Also waiting to be made out a liar )


On another note, once he finally does hang up his wheels can you see Armstrong turning Director Sportif or do you think he'll head in another direction, perhaps promoting his Livestrong stuff further? I wonder what the future holds...

I recall hearing that the Discovery deal could or would lead in to him having a commentator-type position once he's had enough of racing. He has also commented that he'll be spending a lot more time with his kids. His son has been begging him for years to stop racing and being gone so much. It breaks my heart to read that stuff, my son is the same age (5), and Lance and Luke (and Grace and Isabelle) have already missed so much.