Cycling legend changes tune
Lance Armstrong has expressed doubts about competing in the 2009 Tour de France. The American, who recently agreed to ride in next year’s Giro d’Italia, told Gazzetta dello Sport that he may not go for an eighth Tour de France title after all:
“There are still doubts for the Tour. Everyone knows its importance, but the problems that I have with the organisers, journalists and fans could distract me from my mission - focusing the world’s attention on the battle against cancer.”
Distract him from his “mission”… Does this guy have superhero delusions, or what?
Armstrong’s participation in the Tour is really up to him - there’s no way the race organisers would dare exclude the American, unless his Astana team is found guilty of doping (the team withdrew from the 2007 Tour after Alexander Vinokourov’s positive blood sample, then was barred from last year’s event) between now and next summer.
Lance Armstrong comeback date announced
1 response so far ↓
1 John // Oct 14, 2008 at 3:26 pm
So only superheros have missions? Or are you taking the brave pro-cancer stance? Lance contacted the Tour before he announced his comeback and asked to race. Every day or two, some French official has stepped up and let the world know just how not welcome he is. It’s almost like THEY are on a mission. Last up was Amaury, the new head of ASO, who said that Lance had embarrassed the race. He hasn’t said that about Kohl, or Schumacher, or Vinokourov, or even Landis that I have read. Just Lance, the seven time Tour winner. And they could have let Contador defend this year. So yes, after all the negative things they’ve said publicly, they can easily not let him ride next year. And he can win the Giro and raise cancer awareness.
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