Thread: So, Lance is IN for the Giro...

Is he OUT for the Tour?
Sounds like that might be the case...

We'll see. How late can he decide (and avoid the French media)?

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news.php?...t08/oct14news2

Armstrong wants to go pink, probably not yellow
Lance Armstrong has had enough yellow jersey and may go only for pink this year
Photo ©: Jon Devich Click for larger image

Lance Armstrong will likely make the Giro d'Italia his only three-week race next season. His main goal is to raise global awareness for cancer and the Texan has a feeling that the Tour's attention may be too distracting from that.

While Armstrong decided only last week to ride the Giro d'Italia, it was something that was in his head for a long time. In an interview to Gazzetta dello Sport he explained why he never raced the Giro before. "I like my routine, I won my first Tour without going to Italy and I didn't want to change my programme. Even in my personal life I am very methodical. Changes make me feel insecure."

But things have changed and the next Giro being the Centenary one added to his desire to race in the country where he used to live for a while. "I have many friends here. There is also the possibility to make more people aware of the fight against cancer."

Armstrong wouldn't be Armstrong if he wouldn't want to leave a mark on the Italian roads, though. "I have no experience with this race... I certainly will come here to try to win it. It is possible that the Giro will be the only three-week race I will do."

There are still some doubts about his Tour de France appearance. "Everybody knows about its importance but there are the problems with the organisers, journalists and fans. This could be detracting from my main goal, the global awareness of the fight against cancer."

Armstrong tried to make headway early on in his comeback trail. "Before I announced my comeback, I contacted the organisers, but I did not get any response. Is there a chance they wouldn't invite me? Everything is possible, but I would find that incredible."

Armstrong explained his two main motivators to return to racing. "The first is a sportive one. I believe I am still competitive. The second is social. In the bike saddle I am more efficient in the fight against cancer." But he certainly missed the old days. "When I watched the Tour in July my desire [to race] came back. The decision was definite in August, when I finished second in a mountain bike race in Colorado."

The seven-time Tour winner explained once again his desire to fully cooperate in the doping controls, which includes his own personal testing. The results will be made available on the internet. "Don Catlin is an authority and has an indisputable reputation. But I will also be tested by WADA [World Anti Doping Agency], USADA [USA anti-doping agency], UCI [international cycling union], IOC [international Olympic committee, USOC [USA Olympic committee]. I will be available to everyone, anytime."

Armstrong acknowledged that the sport is in a bit of trouble. "Sure, confidence in cycling is lost among riders, managers, organisers, journalists, sponsors and obviously fans. But we test more than in any other sport. It is therefore easier to catch people. I would like to see the same testing done in others sports."

Even if he could convince people he came back clean, Armstrong thought there will always be doubters. "There will be some who say, yeah, he is clean now, but what about the past?"

That seems kind of pointless to me. I mean, Armstrong IS the Tour. It's boring without him. Kinda like the Superbowl without the Cowboys: who freaking cares?






/a little facetious, a little for serious/

so its Dave Wiens fault he is returning to racing?

Originally Posted by rideit

Is he OUT for the Tour?
Sounds like that might be the case...

What that article doesn't say is that Contador told Astana that he would walk if he wasn't the captain for the TDF. And how can you blame him.

My only real question is does Lance ride the tour in support of Contador?

OR

Does he now go for the win in BOTH the Giro AND the Vuelta since Contador did it? I think that's a real possibility...

To further complicate things, Vino has stated his desire to come back to his old team. With Armstrong, Contador, Levi, Klöden and Vino (if they sign him), Astana is looking like the New York Yankees of cycling...

Vino can't come back until he serves a ban for doping, which he hasn't done yet. Hes not going to ride again for a long time, if at all.

more interesting to me is Basso coming back next year. He says hes gearing up for TdF in 2010, but apparently he's been training like a full-time pro and is in phenominal shape. How quickly we all forget that he was the best young cyclist in the world just 2 years ago. . .

Plus, Hamilton anf perhaps Landis coming back could be interesting. But you heard it here first: even with all these top guys in the fold, Vande Velde will be the top American next year and will stand on the TdF podium.

Originally Posted by Long Duck Dong

Vande Velde will be the top American next year and will stand on the TdF podium.

Agreed, I don't think LA will do anything too exciting.......

The Tour organizers are finally getting what's coming to them. Both German broadcasting agencies have announced that they are not covering the TDF. This is huge news. If the TDF officials aren;t careful they may get their wish. The Giro will go back to being the biggest race and the TDF will only have French riders. Now they have a chance to win one for their country...

I just hope Versus wakes up and broadcasts the Giro.