Report: Armstrong to return, ride in '09 Tour

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/26609987/

Lance Armstrong will end his retirement and hopes to compete in the 2009 Tour de France, according to a cycling journal report.

The 36-year-old seven-time Tour de France champion will compete in five road races with the Astana team in 2009, the cycling journal VeloNews reported on its Web site Monday, citing anonymous sources.




So much for "retirement". :eyes: What is it with all these athletes who "retire" and then "come out of retirement" a little bit later? Is it all about money? :shrug:

Why get back into it at all?? Why not be happy continuing to work with his LiveStrong organization?

If this report is true, I'm curious what his motivation was....


Hmmm...

and it doesn't list the Tour de France as being a race in which he will compete. As for motivation, I am not sure. Perhaps he just likes the competition.

It's all about "hoping", at this point. :D

I have yet to read his book, "It's Not about the Bike"...but I hear it's great. He's super-competitive, so maybe you're right and he just wants another challenge.

Me? I'm challenged keeping on top of our household laundry. :hi:

They get bored and want to feel useful. They miss the cheering crowds and the team of friends they used to hang around with. Riding or playing the game are still one of their favorite things to do and they cannot find other hobbies to replace it. Might be sorta like me if I tried to retire from genealogy or posting on DU.

Unfortunately, I cannot even seem to get paid minimum wage for doing either of those activities. Although I probably should get busy on my project. I had an idea that I might get hired as a family historian.

An NFL QB, world famous cyclist, Major League pitcher all have had cheering crowds and adulation for so many years, that going without has to be quite a jolt.

It's not the money, they all have lots of it, it's an out of control ego that has gotten used to serious feeding.

I think his huge ego was one of the reasons he and Sheryl Crow broke up. :D

What gifts.

especially after that question.

At first glance this seems like a poor choice. Hard to imagine an athlete returning to his prior level after 2+ years off. Particularly in cycling. It's well known the early 30s are generally the wall in that sport, at highest level.

Maybe the field is weak right now. I'll have to study it leading to next June. But if it's competent and the price is reasonable, I'll be wagering against Armstrong.