Armstrong comeback?

Armstrong comeback?

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Discussion

central

Original Poster:

16,744 posts

223 months

ewenm

28,506 posts

251 months

Monday 8th September 2008
quotequote all
Joining Astana? One of the most dubious teams on the circuit...

I wonder if Armstrong is single again, bored and looking for something to do?

Lucas

811 posts

222 months

Tuesday 9th September 2008
quotequote all
ewenm said:
I wonder if Armstrong is single again, bored and looking for something to do?
I am pretty sure you are not his type.

ewenm

28,506 posts

251 months

Tuesday 9th September 2008
quotequote all
Lucas said:
ewenm said:
I wonder if Armstrong is single again, bored and looking for something to do?
I am pretty sure you are not his type.
hehe

Not Ideal

2,942 posts

194 months

Tuesday 9th September 2008
quotequote all
dont believe a word of it - Bruneeyl (sp?) said armstrong hadnt said a word to him about it

Sheepy

3,164 posts

255 months

Tuesday 9th September 2008
quotequote all
Rumour started because LA asked US doping agency to reinstate him on the program of testing. Seems to be related to some mountain-bike racing he's been doing rather than any sort of TdF comeback.

Sheepy

3,164 posts

255 months

Tuesday 9th September 2008
quotequote all
now it appears the rumours are true!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycli...

Red Firecracker

5,297 posts

233 months

Tuesday 9th September 2008
quotequote all
I'm torn on this.

I have the utmost respect for the guy, I guess he's one of my 'heroes' or inspirational figures, but can he win an 8th Tour? I'm not sure. Will it just promote more rumours and accusations of doping? Unfortunately I think it will. I do think his Tours were clean wins, but the state that pro cycling is in at the moment.....

I think he should remain as is, a retired legendary cyclist and inspiration to many.

Winton

106 posts

220 months

Tuesday 9th September 2008
quotequote all
Red Firecracker said:
I think he should remain as is, a retired legendary cyclist and inspiration to many.
Absolutely spot on. Quality post fella!

ian in lancs

3,814 posts

204 months

Tuesday 9th September 2008
quotequote all
Winton said:
Red Firecracker said:
I think he should remain as is, a retired legendary cyclist and inspiration to many.
Absolutely spot on. Quality post fella!
x2

Lucas

811 posts

222 months

Wednesday 10th September 2008
quotequote all
ian in lancs said:
Winton said:
Red Firecracker said:
I think he should remain as is, a retired legendary cyclist and inspiration to many.
Absolutely spot on. Quality post fella!
x2
Disagree, he is sitting at home wondering what to do with his time and knows nothing else in life. He wants to show that he can still do it and I hope he can still do it. Otherwise when he is sitting in the retirement home he will be sitting there wondering what if.

Digger.

15,109 posts

197 months

Wednesday 10th September 2008
quotequote all
Lucas said:
ian in lancs said:
Winton said:
Red Firecracker said:
I think he should remain as is, a retired legendary cyclist and inspiration to many.
Absolutely spot on. Quality post fella!
x2
Disagree, he is sitting at home wondering what to do with his time and knows nothing else in life. He wants to show that he can still do it and I hope he can still do it. Otherwise when he is sitting in the retirement home he will be sitting there wondering what if.
+ 0.5 (errr i.e. fence)

I am late 30's myself and would probably do the same myself if i was ever lucky enough etc rolleyes

deevlash

10,442 posts

243 months

Wednesday 10th September 2008
quotequote all
Digger. said:
Lucas said:
ian in lancs said:
Winton said:
Red Firecracker said:
I think he should remain as is, a retired legendary cyclist and inspiration to many.
Absolutely spot on. Quality post fella!
x2
Disagree, he is sitting at home wondering what to do with his time and knows nothing else in life. He wants to show that he can still do it and I hope he can still do it. Otherwise when he is sitting in the retirement home he will be sitting there wondering what if.
+ 0.5 (errr i.e. fence)

I am late 30's myself and would probably do the same myself if i was ever lucky enough etc rolleyes
I dont think luck had much to do with Lances place in history, more hard work.

Not Ideal

2,942 posts

194 months

Wednesday 10th September 2008
quotequote all
i really believe he can win it. Look at who wore yellow this yr for example - hes twice the rider Schumacher is..!!

Red Firecracker

5,297 posts

233 months

Wednesday 10th September 2008
quotequote all
Lucas said:
Disagree, he is sitting at home wondering what to do with his time and knows nothing else in life. He wants to show that he can still do it and I hope he can still do it. Otherwise when he is sitting in the retirement home he will be sitting there wondering what if.
Indeed, I do agree with you to some extent, but I doubt he is sitting there wondering what to do with his time. His work for his Foundation and also the races he organises each year (and competes in, such as the recent MTB race) probably take up much of his time. To say he knows nothing except cycling is perhaps a little unfair on him.

Maybe it's a shame there isn't a senior Tour (is there?) for riders such as Armstrong as in Tennis and Golf. How much of a draw would Armstrong racing Indurain, racing LeMond be? Rather huge I'd think.

I'm fully aware that I'm viewing all this through rose tinted specs, not wanting him to come back and fail publicly with all the press that would attract, but if he does come back and win, what a fantastic achievement that would be.


central

Original Poster:

16,744 posts

223 months

Wednesday 10th September 2008
quotequote all
ewenm said:
Joining Astana? One of the most dubious teams on the circuit...
Apparently they're favourites to sign him......

Digger.

15,109 posts

197 months

Wednesday 10th September 2008
quotequote all
deevlash said:
Digger. said:
Lucas said:
ian in lancs said:
Winton said:
Red Firecracker said:
I think he should remain as is, a retired legendary cyclist and inspiration to many.
Absolutely spot on. Quality post fella!
x2
Disagree, he is sitting at home wondering what to do with his time and knows nothing else in life. He wants to show that he can still do it and I hope he can still do it. Otherwise when he is sitting in the retirement home he will be sitting there wondering what if.
+ 0.5 (errr i.e. fence)

I am late 30's myself and would probably do the same myself if i was ever lucky enough etc rolleyes
I dont think luck had much to do with Lances place in history, more hard work.
No no you misunderstand me. I was not being sarcastic! I meant he is lucky to have the time available to keep his fitness levels up, and gifted enough to achieve high performance levels. I reckon he could get close to his best, but perhaps too old to exceed it unfortunately. He will do well to get Top 3. and yes I do rate him as one of the best ever.

Edited by Digger. on Wednesday 10th September 11:38

RLK500

917 posts

258 months

Wednesday 10th September 2008
quotequote all
I suspect that there may be more to this than meet the eye. Astana couldn't get a place on the TDF this year. Having Armstrong as their team leader would, I have thought, pretty much guarantee a place. (even given the degree of French loathing for him....) Assuming that he will have to do some prelim events to show that it's not just a put up job, I can see this happening. Given the amount of false dawns we have had with cycling lately, it seems that every up and coming starlet falls by the wayside due to positive tests, cycling really needs someone like an Armstrong to get it back on track. Cycling needs Armstrong more than he needs cycling, but he's always struck me as someone who relishes a challenge so this situation is probably a "light the blue touchpaper" moment for him.

Red Firecracker

5,297 posts

233 months

Wednesday 10th September 2008
quotequote all
One big attraction to Armstrong of the Astana team has to be the presence of Johan Bruyneel as sporting director.

patmahe

5,820 posts

210 months

Wednesday 10th September 2008
quotequote all
Not Ideal said:
i really believe he can win it. Look at who wore yellow this yr for example - hes twice the rider Schumacher is..!!
Thats not very fair, I bet Lance wouldn't be very good in a Ferrari either biggrin