In the worst kept most obvious non-secret in the sporting world, everyone held a collective breath to see if ex-Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong would sign up for this years bike ride. Yeah, he is.
The chief of the 2009 Tour said Armstrong's history of doping accusations alone made the cyclist an embarrassment to the Tour. Armstrong talked about his incredible fear of attack by a lunatic French spectator. Armstrong has not developed the doping program he promised. Armstrong narrowly didn't make the Tour Down Under field in Australia. However, he overcame these adversities to announce he undertaking of the 2009 Tour. To Sky Sports:
Seven-times Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong will contest next year's race, his team have confirmed.
Armstrong, who won the Tour between 1999 and 2005, announced in September that he was coming out of retirement next season, three years after taking his last victory in the event.
Famously overcoming cancer prior to the first of his Tour successes, Armstrong has dedicated his comeback to raising awareness for the global fight against the disease.
The 37-year-old is scheduled to make his return on January 20 for the Tour Down Under in Australia and will also contest the Giro d'Italia for the first time.
Appearances in the Tour of Flanders, the Tour of California and several of the one-day classic races have also been pencilled in.
However, a potential bid for an eighth Tour title had been delayed, with Armstrong failing to receive an invitation from race organisers Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO).
Clearly Armstrong deserves admiration for the fight against cancer, and the incredible comeback following surgery and treatment. Also true that his crusade to raise funds for cancer treatment deserves kudos. However, the LA Tour 2009 has been filled with drama and histrionics. Further, the questions about Armstrong's past doping have not been answered, and likely will not be answered (charges ranging from steroids to HGH to EPO to corticosteroids).
The Texan has endured a strained relationship with ASO - who in October said his return to the Tour would be "embarrassing" - as well as the French crowds and media over doping allegations.
He was linked with possible doping by a report by French newspaper L'Equipe three years ago that claimed a 1999 sample from the American contained a banned blood-boosting substance.
But Armstrong never tested positive and was cleared by a Dutch investigator appointed by the International Cycling Union.
Contrary to that statement, Armstrong did test positive for a corticosteroid, which he said he took for saddle sores. More:
He has made a commitment to ride for the Astana team - who were barred by ASO from contesting this year's Tour because of their part in previous doping scandals - alongside 2007 Tour winner Alberto Contador.
Monday's announcement confirming Armstrong's presence on the Tour was made on Astana's website.
Speaking from their training camp in Tenerife, Armstrong acknowledged that the combination of age, time out of the saddle and talented team-mates may leave him playing a supporting role.
"I'm committed to riding for the best guy," he said. "We'll abide by the same code that I do: cycling is team sport, while we'd all like to win."
After voicing concerns in recent weeks about his personal safety in France, Armstrong also dismissed that issue, adding: "It's not going to keep me from going and doing my job, and it's not going to keep me from spreading my message."
The 2009 Tour de France starts in Monaco on July 4.
Such courage once again displayed by LA...braving the vicious French cycling crowd.
Clearly Armstrong deserves admiration for the fight against cancer, and the incredible comeback following surgery and treatment. Also true that his crusade to raise funds for cancer treatment deserves kudos.
Posted by: jerry | 12/28/2008 at 05:34
Well....This is really my very first time here , great looking blog.I feel fervently about this and I like learning about this subject.
Posted by: cheap christian louboutin | 05/21/2012 at 12:08