Breaking: Lance Armstrong’s Comeback Now Official, Lance Returns For 2009 Tour de France

Team Astana released a statement lastnight suggesting that the cycling team was not pursuing Lance Armstrong for a 2009 Tour de France return.  I mentioned in an earlier post that there was to much information floating around for the ‘rumors’ to not have some merit.  Luckily, Lance thought that he should get right to the point.  Lance Armstrong officially announced his return to the Tour de France and the world of professional cycling.

Once again, we can now pay attention to the world of professional cycling…

So what was it that changed Lance’s mind about making a return to the sport that he made famous?

I outlined a few of the points that I thought he would do this for in my article yesterday.  I wasn’t to far off base.  Lance claims that his recent near-victory in the famed Leadville 100 played a big role in sparking his competitive nature.  He also thinks that he has something to prove in a sport where many have questioned his integrity with performance enhancing drugs.  Lance has never tested positive and continues to deny any involvement vehemently.

We’re not going to try to win second place,” Bill Stapleton, Armstrong’s lawyer and longtime confidant, told The Associated Press.

Lance thinks he still has what it takes to compete, and I will go on record and state that all of us probably think so, as well.  Once again, Lance Armstrong will be bringing credibility back to a sport that has seen better days.  Those better days were, of course, with Lance Armstrong and before the recent interest in cyclist’s ‘dirty blood’.  The Tour de France has suffered from wainig interest, sponsorships are harder to come-by, and there has really not been a ‘face’ of cycling since Lance Armstrong made his retirement official after his seventh Tour de France victory.  That’s all about to change…

I will definitely be glad to have him riding again.  His credentials and cycling past always bring a good story to the table and give the riders someone to gun for.  Beating Lance Armstrong could make a career, losing to Lance Armstrong doesn’t really matter..I mean the guy is LANCE ARMSTRONG.

The 2009 Tour de France has just gained a very high interest level in a matter of 24 hours.

Original rumors stated that Lance Armstrong would be joining Team Astana for the 2009 Tour de France and four or five other races along the way.  This has not been confirmed at his time.  It is known that Team Astana was suspended for the 2008 Tour for violating the drug policy.  Lance has stated that he will appeal directly to France’s president if he is not allowed to ride in the 2009 event.  I am pretty sure that nobody is going to turn Lance down.  Whether with Team Astana or any other team, Lance’s return to the world of professional cycling will send shockwaves throughout the sport and beyond.  Now, prepare for the Lance media blitz…

Tip-Off:  The Adventure Blog