Lance Armstrong returns to le Tour : Wed Sep 10, 2008 8:04 am  

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_s ... 605378.stm As surprises go, this one will be up there with the best of them. What the guy has achieved has makes him, in my opinion at least, the best sportsman ever (although that debate could go on and on). Not sure how much of a gamble this is though. Anything other than a win for the guy will be considered as a failure and it would be a huge shame if his career didn't end on a "high", although I'm sure that some could argue that he is still better than the riders who have won since he's been in retirement.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_s ... 605378.stm As surprises go, this one will be up there with the best of them. What the guy has achieved has makes him, in my opinion at least, the best sportsman ever (although that debate could go on and on). Not sure how much of a gamble this is though. Anything other than a win for the guy will be considered as a failure and it would be a huge shame if his career didn't end on a "high", although I'm sure that some could argue that he is still better than the riders who have won since he's been in retirement.

Re: Lance Armstrong returns to le Tour : Wed Sep 10, 2008 9:20 am  

bramleyrhino wrote:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycling/7605378.stm

As surprises go, this one will be up there with the best of them.

What the guy has achieved has makes him, in my opinion at least, the best sportsman ever (although that debate could go on and on).

Not sure how much of a gamble this is though. Anything other than a win for the guy will be considered as a failure and it would be a huge shame if his career didn't end on a "high", although I'm sure that some could argue that he is still better than the riders who have won since he's been in retirement.

True, there has been no dominant force in the TdF since Armstrong's departure, we always used to get a rider who would dominate for a period of time before retiring:- Indurain, Mercxx, Lemond, Hinault etc.

Might be the kick up the jacksy that the current crop need and knuckle down to some serious training to fully realise their potential. What we have in todays cycling is a culture of 'wheel-sucking' and being conservative in the saddle when what is needed is someone to attack and stamp their own authority/personality on the race.

I bet the French will welcome Lance back with open arms seeing as they hold him in such high regard

: Wed Sep 10, 2008 11:21 am  

Big mistake in my opinion. Why can't people just retire with their legendary status in tact

: Wed Sep 10, 2008 11:30 am  

airliebird9 wrote:

Big mistake in my opinion. Why can't people just retire with their legendary status in tact

Maybe that isn't what motivates him. I for one am delighted to see him back. A sporting hero. He'll be a legend regardless of what happens next year.

: Wed Sep 10, 2008 12:14 pm  

GCM1980 wrote:

Maybe that isn't what motivates him. I for one am delighted to see him back. A sporting hero. He'll be a legend regardless of what happens next year.

Exactly right...he will always remain a legend even if he doesnt complete the tour next year...however if he is serious about it, which he most certainly will be, then I cant see anyone competing with him...I was about 70% certain about going over there to see it next year but now Im 100% going over!! Roll on the unveiling of the route in the next few weeks!!

Any guesses what team he would come back with too?? There's the obvious Astana link but they might not even be allowed to enter le tour yet...how about the garmin-chipotle team? they're american and havent really got a dominant team leader at the moment...and they have a massive anti-doping policy there too...or maybe columbia alongside our very own Cav???

: Thu Sep 11, 2008 9:24 pm  

I wonder if the shares in the pharmaceutical market have increased on the back of this news...

: Fri Sep 12, 2008 8:33 am  

You'd have to think that Astana would be favourites with his links with Johan Bruyneel and Trek.

: Sun Sep 14, 2008 12:59 am  

his team has been confirmed

Re: Lance Armstrong returns to le Tour : Sun Sep 14, 2008 1:23 pm  

bramleyrhino wrote: What the guy has achieved has makes him, in my opinion at least, the best sportsman ever (although that debate could go on and on). Not even close.

bramleyrhino wrote: What the guy has achieved has makes him, in my opinion at least, the best sportsman ever (although that debate could go on and on). Not even close.

: Sun Sep 14, 2008 2:02 pm  

fredie wrote:

his team has been confirmed

Is it Glaxo?