Lance Armstrong Comes Out Of Retirement…Then Goes Back In

Update: Lance Armstrong Announces His Return <<<  Click it

Lance Armstrong may have had the fastest comeback/re-retirement party in history.  News started spreading around the online communities today that Lance Armstrong was coming out of retirement to ride in the 2009 Tour de France, as well as four or five other races.  The sources claimed that Lance had signed a deal with cycling powerhouse Astana, but that he was awaiting a more formal announcement.

That formal announcement would come a few hours later.  Astana released a statement saying that they were NOT in talks with Lance Armstrong and that he would not be riding with them in 2009, or any other time for that matter.  Those of us who are fans of Lance Armstrong were quickly brought back to Earth.

Much like other sports in the United States, sometimes ‘feelers’ are thrown out there to see what kind of reaction might take place.  If Lance comes back, it would be a monumental moment in the world of cycling–that is, if he was successful.  On the other hand, if he comes back and places 180th in the Tour de France it could turn into ridicule.  He left the world of professional cycling standing on top of the world.  After he captured his seventh Tour de France victory, Lance stepped off the professional stage to concentrate on his LiveStrong organization.  Many felt that he had nothing left to prove, including Lance.

Lance Armstrong left the sport just as the controversy of performance enhancing drugs took hold.  In the years since his retirement, there have been some very public instances of cyclists getting caught doping.  The sport has tried to clean up it’s act, but it is having a hard time of doing so when some of the top riders in the industry have been caught, suspended, and even banned from the sport they love.

Lance Armstrong was the face of professional cycling.  His seven Tour de France victories only fueled the fire.  Many riders complained that Lance had to have been using performance enhancers to domminate the sport for so long.  This has never been proven or acknowledged by Lance Armstrong.

What would a Lance Armstrong comeback do?

If Lance Armstrong were to come back to the sport of professional cycling, it would do two things.  First, the sport would get instant credibility again.  People would come, people would watch, and most importantly, people would spend money.  Sponsorships are getting tougher to find, but having Lance Armstrong riding in the race would mean more exposure to the products that endorse all of the riders of the Tour de France.  Something they desperately need.

Secondly, Lance Armstrong could clear his own name once and for all.  Lance has highly disputed any claims that he has used performance enhancers at any point in his career.  A comeback would give Lance the chance to prove that, once and for all, he is a clean rider.  The tests are more stringent, the consequences are more dire, but the clean record could be priceless.  If he is succesful, he automatically shuts up the naysayers.  If he comes back and is less than himself, even with three years out of the professional ranks, I would think that people would continue to question how he has that ability.

Will Lance Armstrong Come Back??

That is a tough call.  A month or so back, Lance Armstrong cycled in his first ‘professional’ race since the Tour de France finale.  The Leadville 100 is billed as one of the toughest mountain bike endurance races in the world.  Many said that Lance, being out of his element, would not even place in the top 10.  He shut them up quickly with a second place finish.  He knows he can ride and he knows he can still compete and be successful.  On the downside, Lance stated that in 2009 he would be back for another crack at the Leadville 100.  If he is contemplating running the Leadville 100 in 2009, it would be very tough for him to do the Leadville and the Tour de France.  They both take place at roughly the same time.

Money can speak volumns though.  The earlier reports of Lance Armstrong coming out of retirement seemed to show that Lance was going to do this more for his charity than for himself.  He would take no money and no winnings for any of the races he competes in during 2009.  Instead, all funds and sponsorship money would go directly to his LiveStrong charity.  That is a noble move, and a move that I might add, that could draw some large interest for a formal sponsorship deal.  Many sponsors are willing to spend more money if a charity is involved.  With 100% of the winnings and funds going there, it is a no-brainer that someone would jump at this offer.  Not only would the sponsor get Lance Armstrong, but they would also get the ‘feel-good’ story of helping Lance’s Livestrong charity.

Those first few reports that emerged today also noted that Lance Armstrong would be posting his bloodwork from races online.  Smooth move.  He could get that name cleared and show everyone exactly what makes Lance Armstrong tick.  There is absolutely no downside to doing this.

How Likely is a Lance Armstrong return?

Going on the early reports of his ‘comeback’, I would say that there is an 80% chance that we could see Lance Armstrong return to the world of professional cycling.  These reports are too thought out to be coming from some schmo making this stuff up.  There are to many finer details that reveal Lance might still have something to prove on the racecourse.   He might have tested the waters with Leadville-showing the world that he is still competitive–while also getting his name in the press for a reason.  Don’t be surprised to see him back in 2009 at the Tour de France.  Going on the Lance-o-Mania currently taking over the press, I would actually be more surprised if he doesn’t.  Brett Favre has shown that 38-year-olds can still kick it in a world dominated by younger individuals.  If Lance has something to prove and has finally seen a new challenge emerge, you can bet that he will go after it.  Being competitive is in his nature, yet, if he felt he couldn’t do it, he wouldn’t.  Let’s hope he does!