LANCE Armstrong "will no longer rule out" an attempt to win an eighth Tour de France.
The Texan, 33, raised the possibility he could make a comeback when he announced his engagement to the rock star Sheryl Crow yesterday but the seriousness of his comments were in doubt.
However, the seven-time Tour winner - who has been accused of using the blood booster EPO in the first of his victories in 1999 - issued a further statement which suggests he could well return to the saddle.
He said: "While I'm absolutely enjoying my time as a retired athlete with Sheryl and the kids, the recent smear campaign out of France has awoken my competitive side.
"I'm not willing to put a percentage on the chances but I will no longer rule it out."
The story has caught the rest of the Discovery Cycling organisation - most of whom are on the Tour of Spain - on the hop with Armstrong's spokesman Mark Higgins insisting the Texan was "100% retired".
Discovery sporting director Johan Bruyneel then admitted it was "not impossible" he could make a comeback before the team manager Dan Osipow said: "If there's a certain rider from Texas who wants to join the team, we'll have space."
Should Lance Armstrong return to racing? Have your say.
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Armstrong is possibly the most tested athlete in history!! The French are simply exhibiting what they have demonstrated for years in many of their wines, SOUR GRAPES! If they do not retract and apologize, I would love to see him race again and again rub French faces in the mud!!
No way!
Lance is the best cyclist in the sport today. The French people have consistently tried to take away the validity of his talent and ability for years...and now I believe they are going to be put in their place once and for all if Lance decides to return to France and dominate the tour once again!
I like the thought of seeing Lance racing again. I don't like the idea of it being billed as a smear on the French. Let's stick with Lances comments; the French smear campaign has awakened his competitiveness. Let's not smear the French.
I hope he comes back one more time and allows anyone to test him as many times as possible to shut up the stupid french and win it again. That would certainly make those idiots to shut up so someone else could win it. I don't blame him for wanting to do it out of spite.. go Armstrong!
If at all Lance decides to return , it should be because he misses the sport and not any other reason.He has proved beyond any doubt that he is clean and that he is the best that cycling has seen. So bother , let the french be french , who cares !
If at all Lance decides to return , it should be because he misses the sport and not any other reason.He has proved beyond any doubt that he is clean and that he is the best that cycling has seen. So why bother , let the french be french , who cares !
Lance has said the French have injured his pride with comments about testing positive for drug use in 1999. Lance doesn't need to prove anything to anyone. He should swallow his pride and take the high road by not taking the bait dangled by the French. He has won an unprecedented seven Tours, and has gone out on top of his game. Although he could very well win an eighth, he could also lose, and that's not how he wants to leave the sport. Lance shouldn't allow his pride or the petty ramblings of the French to pull him off course, which is to spend more time with his children, fiancee and devote more time to his foundation and encouraging people with cancer.
As the best cyclist ever to click his boots into a set of clipless pedals, Lance Armstrong should ride again. He is still the man to beat, still has his physical abilities and mental strength, so go for it! Show the French that he can make them eat their words concerning his doping allegations. There is only this one opportunity to go for 8 in a row.
Lance is an incredible athlete and I have the highest respect for his achievements. There will always be slander and jealousy of such a great athlete, and especially one not from France; however, I believe that Lance should now concentrate on his children. Training for the Tour has taken him away too long from his kids and he now needs to focus on being a father.
Lance went out on top and in style. It would be a shame for him to tarnish this image.
You BET HE SHOULD RETURN AND stick a croissant up certain French butts.
Go gettem Lance!
Yes he should race again just to prove that he can win another one.............
Lance should definitely come back to smear it in the face of the French. No need to be soft on the French, they deserve the threat, and the reality of an 8th US win if he comes back.
Lance should only return if he truly wants to. Shutting up his critics may be a trigger, but his desire must be the reason. I'm sure he'll make the right decision. Only he can know the correect answer.
I am curious to see whether his "threats" to take the Tour's crown from the French for an 8th time gets them to weaken their smear campaign. I'm sure that they will weigh their attempts to smear his legacy against losing the Tour to him again.
Lance Armstrong does not have anything to prove. Although it would be a great joy to see him racing again, I do not think that it would be wise. There are over 2000 miles of open road and too many opportunities for a nut case to do him harm. He has earned the right to a retirement from competitive cycling in one piece!
France could have finally had they're beloved bike race back..maybe even could have placed a rider in the top 5 or 10(not likely)..if only they could leave the man alone and let his legacy be...but no,... well....for every action there is a reaction...heres to #8! hopefully 9 and 10! Anybody that watches the tour annually know the man has atleast 3 more in him.
Eight straight! Sounds great!
I would love to see Lance return to racing. He is an inspiration to us "regular" guys who in our heads ride like him. Go Lance and do it again!
Why oh why can't the french press let it go? The must have the Iraqi information minister on staff...they just won't admit defeat! Maybe if the Cofidis team hadn't dropped Lance as soon as he got cancer, they would have a 7 time winner on a french team. Would the press be pestering him now if that was the case? I think not.
Yes. Yes. Yes. And kick all those French riders butts again.
go on Lance,give it another crack.i'd loved to have seen ulrich's face when he heard this
Lance should go for it.
The man thrives on challenges, what better way to answer his critics that to get back on the bike and go back into the lions den.
Go for it Lance!
I think Lance should race again,for my own selfish reasons,but especially if it pisses the french off. I guess some people refuse to believe what the human spirit can acomplish through hard work and discpline. You go Lance u r one of my heros and an inspiration to anyone who has ever been down and had to make a comeback. c ya rodg
If he wants to do it, why not? It would certainly be fun to watch the "Frogs" jumping! A lot more fun than a law suit. One more year on the sidelines for the whining losers in their own national race. Let's see, that's 20 what?