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Will the world's best cope with Armstrong?
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Enlarge textA comeback by the quiet American has stunned the cycling world, but it could also show up the so called "big guns" of today's Pro road racing ranks.
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What would ever posses Lance Armstrong to make a return to the Tour de France after four years away from cycling's Pro circuit?
My immediate reaction on hearing the news was of a media "beat-up", but on second thought it may not be such a far-fetched proposition.
I mean let's remember Lance for a brilliant and legendary career - a seven-time champion of the world's greatest race, the Tour de France.
Since hanging up his lycra, Lance has had the opportunity to live the life of celebrity, promote his cancer cause, run marathons, and watch cycling's big races from the comfort of his lounge room in Texas.
There may lie his reason for his thinking of making a comeback.
Lance is a restless man - it's obvious he can't sit still, and when watching the big races of Europe, I'd suggest he hasn't been impressed with what he has seen since retirement.
In my opinion, apart from Alberto Contador, there is not one rider on the Pro circuit capable of dominating the Grand Tours like Lance did.
At this year's Tour de France I got the impression the GC riders were tripping over each other, rather than stomping their way to success.
Remember, this was the Armstrong trademark for so many years.
Sastre, Evans, the Schleck boys and Kohl were good to watch at Le Tour, but never convincing in my books.
I reckon Lance wants to come back, if nothing more, than to prove he is better than the current crop of riders, and has lost nothing even after four years away from the roads of Europe and at an age when most racers are thinking of retirement.
One thing's for sure, win, lose or draw, another Tour de France featuring the name "Armstrong" will certainly attract the eyes of a world-wide audience.
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Comments (41)
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21 Oct 2008 8:33 AEST
From: Sydney
Leo's comment
Leo, if you go back a few pages, Mike Tomalaris claimed before the event that the 2008 TdF would be the clean. I suspect that Bozo has just quoted Mike.
20 Oct 2008 19:36 AEST
From: Gosford
Bozo a real Bozo
Bozo - you're a real bozo. What the !X%$ are you talking about? The cleanest sprtong event? You're dreaming - you fool!!!
17 Oct 2008 7:42 AEST
From: bondi
!
The 2008 Tour de France will probably be the cleanest sporting event on record. It's a big call, but I say that unreservedly. I'd be suprised if any rider was kicked out for returning a positive dope test in July.
14 Oct 2008 17:46 AEST
From: golden grove
i know who the stig is
the stig is neal bates toyota test driver
14 Oct 2008 9:13 AEST
From: Brisbane
Trust
Another doping test and another positive. After the scandels of the 90s and the dissapointment os the likes of Jan, Vino and Basso I though I was immune to losing faith in the sport. Come the tour 08, I like many fans stayed up to all hours and cheered for Cadel, screamed at CSC and watched in awe as Ricco ripped them all apart in the mountains. After the tour I prayed Silence Lotto could nab the signature of Kohl. There is not turst left - only fear of who will be next.
10 Oct 2008 2:01 AEST
From: Cairns
Shut Up and Ride Your Bike
Just so long as someone's clean, I dont think anyone has any right to object to someone racing. If Lance can 'come back from the grave' and win they might call it the Tour de Lazarus. Does anyone know how they measure the wattage that riders put out? And someone needs to clean up the TdF forum - it has been hit by spammers. How come Cycling Central doesnt have a forum?
07 Oct 2008 22:01 AEST
From: Melbourne
Arrrrgh to Drug Cheats!
I'm really getting sick of drug-cheat cyclists like Schumacher and Piepoli. I feel betrayed by them every time I hear about it, because I stayed up late and cheered them on. These idiots are ruining the spectacle of professional cycling. Ban them for life, I say! And fine them into bankruptcy. Better still, make them face irate TdF fans!!! Let's hope Lance Armstrong never tests positive (past, present or future). Let the CYCLE CLEAN! movement begin.
01 Oct 2008 20:13 AEST
From: adelaide
do what you want if you can
Armstrong, Contador, Evans, let them all go for it, as long as there is sophisticated efficient performance enhancing substance abuse detection in place !!!
30 Sep 2008 9:56 AEST
From: Westleigh
What was he thinking?
I dont understand why Lance would go to Astana! For me (as for others I'm sure) Astana is a team tainted by drugs, not that there are many that have not been. Yes I know the sponsor is the name and the team has been rebuilt but wont that always be the question mark. Now the headline for 2009 TDF might be "Banned drug cheats win the Tour" - OUCH!
27 Sep 2008 2:02 AEST
From: Subiaco
Bring it on
Love him or hate him, Lance has 7 TDF's to his name, no other human is even close. If he wants to return to the sport, regardless whether he can win or not, then who are we as mere mortals to intervene. The fact that the TDU is one of only three certainties next year that he will be racing in is a great endorsement to the sport in Australia and to the work of the Cancer Council. I will be there, watching him ride. It will give our sport front page news. about time... and well deserved.
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