He's (coming) baaaaack.....

[BFloFoxRider.]

yeah this about the 4th thread started about Lance's return.
its cool though.

[jcka]

Nice Avatar...

[onegymrat]

I don't like it at all. I am a big fan of Lance and totally admire his talent and passion, and what he's done to lift the sport, but he's got more to lose than gain. He's already proven that he's the one of the greatest cyclist ever. I think there's just too much pressure on him to win another one. Perhaps he's just too bored running marathons.

The greatest thing that can come from this is not a Tour victory, although that would certainly prove he's the best ever, but to show once and for all he doesn't dope.

[davidB]

repooooost. of a repost.

[onegymrat]

I don't like it at all. I am a big fan of Lance and totally admire his talent and passion, and what he's done to lift the sport, but he's got more to lose than gain. He's already proven that he's the one of the greatest cyclist ever. I think there's just too much pressure on him to win another one. Perhaps he's just too bored running marathons.

The greatest thing that can come from this is not a Tour victory, although that would certainly prove he's the best ever, but to show once and for all he doesn't dope.

[Rivet]

I hate to break it to many of you but Lance doped. It actually doesn't bother me because EVERYONE he raced against was on a similar program. The guy is a phenomenal bicycle racer, maybe one of the top 5 ever, he has attributes that made his tour victories ( as well as World Championship and Classics wins) possible, these go far beyond just physical abilities and what doping can add, which is mostly just recovery in this day and age anyways. IF Lance returns I have a feeling it'll be more as a Mentor/General on the team, I don't see him going for the Tour overall, instead focusing on some legendary single day exploits and helping Contador win Tours.

[lesper4]

http://sports.yahoo.com/sc/news?slug...v=ap&type=lgns

or is he!?

[lesper4]

breaking news of the breaking news!!!

http://sports.yahoo.com/sc/news?slug...v=ap&type=lgns

or is he!?

[onegymrat]

[quote=Rivet;368581]I hate to break it to many of you but Lance doped...quote]I never said he didn't.

[Rivet]

Originally Posted by lesper4

breaking news of the breaking news!!!

http://sports.yahoo.com/sc/news?slug...v=ap&type=lgns

or is he!?

Something is fishy here. The Astana Team is owned by Capitol Sports & Entertainment, a company started by two of Lances best Friends Bart Knaggs and Bill Stapleton. Lance is also part owner, I'm pretty sure if he wants to ride on the team there isn't a whole hell of a lot Johan Bruyneel can do about it. I'm pretty sure Bruyneel is feigning ignorance becuase there are probably some pretty upset current riders.

[duke777]

Looks like Lance is like Michael Jordan with the Blizzards, part owner part team member and part retirement fun.

[Diamondback]

what about....nevermind

[sdyeti]

^^You beat me to it!

[dirtmistress]

I heard he's in discussion with Michael Ball of Rock Racing!

[BrewMaster]

How does all this roadie crap keep creeping into the General forum. I filter the roadie forum out for a reason. Back to your cage!

[carlh]

Originally Posted by tbowren

Alberto Contador and Floyd Landis should be back next year as well.

Very exciting!

Poor Levi, it will never happen for him now.

Oh jeez, guys like Landis did more to hurt cycling than his 2 year ban, especially since he tried to get away with it and didn't man up and confess. Ban them for life.

[OffRoadie]

Lance, like Favre, should have stayed retired. I like them both, but I don't like it when athletes hang on longer than they should. I like it when they go out on top, satisfied with what they've accomplished.

[Pickettt]

[quote=onegymrat;368591]

Originally Posted by Rivet

I hate to break it to many of you but Lance doped...quote]I never said he didn't.

So did you...now prove otherwise. Quite a quandry, isn't it?

[Pain Freak]

I have mixed feelings about this (I'm also a long time GB fan ). If Lance is coming back to race and he'll be looking at doing some of the other classics I say great! Go for it. It will always be argued that Lance was a one race man. And the criticism is deserved. He really only focused on one race. I always wondered how he'd stack up against Eddy Mercx or some of the others that would win two, three or even four of the classics a year. Were these guys better then Lance? Might be, the courses are all different and some riders do better on some courses then others. So if LA can win these classics he'll be able to silence some of these naysayers.

Now comes the question, does he still have it? If anyone has watched, his physique has changed and some what drastically. Don't get me wrong he's still in great shape, but I doubt he'll ever be at the level he was at his last tour. Will it be enough to win a classic? Might be, only him racing it will tell. So yeah, I'm excited to hear he's coming back, but I still love the fact he went out a winner.

One other thing that has me scratching my head, he stated he was retiring so he could spend more time with his family, well with the schedule of riding numerous races, won't he be away even more? I know he can afford to take his family along but you really can't afford to much distraction when you train at the level these guys do.


Anyways, I wish him the best of luck. I look for Astana to quit playing the part and to come foward in a day or two.

[Chris]

Damn...he's going to be on another Trek.