According to this article on the VeloNews website, Lance Armstrong will return to race five events next season, including the Tours of California and France. I'm not sure what he hopes to accomplish, but if he's just doing it because he loves to race (he will draw no salary or bonuses) I guess more power to him. It will be interesting to see what roster moves Astana makes, as they may be stocked with a lot of chiefs, what with Contador, Levi, and Kloden. I hope this comeback doesn't turn into some sort of sideshow. Personally, I have been enjoying pro racing just as much, if not more, since Lance retired.

I think racing Leadville got his juices going again.  Would be intersting to see if he wants to ride it as a domestique or "Big Tex" master of the peleton.  He may also be riding it to show people that he can compete (or even beat) people at his age at that level with the new controls in place.  The Velonews article touched on the fact that all his test results would be published on the web.

 

 

Here's another take on the Lance Armstrong comeback rumors. I was already planning a trip down to California next February to visit friends/family, and to check out several stages of the Tour of California. I have to admit it would be pretty cool to be in Sacramento as Lance lines up to start the first race of his "comeback".

 

 Oh yes it will!

The motivation for this is for bringing attention to Cancer on a worldwide level.  He will not be getting paid, and he will be making his test results transparent for the public to see that he is racing clean.

The rumored events he will be racing are the Tour of California, Tour of Georgia, Paris-Nice, Dauphne Libre, and the Tour.

Details on what will be happening are to be announced on Sept 24th at the Clinton Global Intiative.   

Exciting stuff!

I thought I saw an article that says Astana will not take him back. I would like to see him comeback and win again. If Astana does not take him back I wonder what team he will ride for. Trek has millions of dollars in advertising with him so it may not be good for Trek if he ends riding for another team that does not ride Trek bikes unless they switch.

John,

Do you think there will be a Livestrong team? Astana (right now anyway) is not indicating that he is joining them. BTW, here is a link to a post regarding this over at BikePortland. Interesting to read the comments following.

http://bikeportland.org/2008/09/09/lance-for-governor-oh-and-hes-racing-again-too/

Mr. Mark-

From my undisclosed source ;), he's been training a ton in Aspen, CO and is in great shape.  Lance mentioned at the Livestrong Challenge that he was "Getting back into Shape"...whatever that might mean ;)

Astana seems like the most likely team he should go to, but we've all seen the official reports from the team.  Johan, Trek, and Lance would be able to bring back Nike into the fold.  The whole F-1 Team (Nike, Giro, Trek, Charmichael) would be tough one to get back up and running again..but could happen for Lance.  Other folks would definitely be affected here too....The Tour of Georgia being one...they still lack a corporate sponsor and the appeal of Lance would make that event more marketable to a potential sponsor.

A Livestrong Team is also one I've been thinking about as well...Me, Jimmy, Martin, Lance, you know...Pros!  :)

Kidding aside, I believe this will be about bringing Cancer up to a grander scale and the team he goes to or creates will be all about bringing the War on Cancer to the forefront.  Winning the Tour and getting rest of the world on board in defeating cancer...what a combination!

Sept 24th, we'll know.  2 Long weeks....

Looks like Lance will be riding for Astana. Here's the latest from VeloNews:

http://velonews.com/article/83572/armstrong-to-astana

Now we'll have to see if Contador stays or jumps to another team.

 

Lance looked pretty good at cross vegas last night especially after flying in from NY. I was impressed he showed up and had fun. I rang the bell for the kona OR boys that put the hurt on him.