Lance - comeback race

[rustychisel]

just been announced - Tour Downunder.

I saw him win 7 in Paris 2005, it'll be good to see him back on a race bike. He, quite rightly, is a leading figure and spokesperson for our sport.


PR follows...

"Tour Down Under E-Newsletter
Spectate & Participate

Škoda Breakaway Series

Race Information

LANCE ARMSTRONG TO RACE AT
2009 TOUR DOWN UNDER
September 2008

The Tour Down Under in Adelaide attracts some of the biggest names in world cycling. And there's no bigger name than Lance Armstrong who in 2009 will compete in Australia for the first time in his comeback race. Don't miss this opportunity to see the seven time Tour de France winner doing what he does best.

Lance Armstrong has confirmed that he will make his official comeback to road cycling racing at the 2009 Tour Down Under.

His return to professional cycling aims to raise awareness of the global cancer burden.

A cancer survivor and record breaking cyclist, Lance Armstrong is the seven times winner of the Tour de France, winning the race between 1999-2005, before retiring from the sport in 2005.

In 2008, over 15,000 people travelled to South Australia to watch the Tour Down Under. This is your opportunity to see a legend of the sport compete against the world's best cyclists through the streets and countryside of South Australia.

Book your Weekend Getaway package to Adelaide now.

The 2009 Tour Down Under is the first stop on the world cycling calendar and will be held in South Australia from 18-25 January 2009.

To unsubscribe from the Tour Down Under email tourdownunder@tourism.sa.com with 'unsubscribe' in the subject line.

Disclaimer | Privacy | Copyright 2004 | South Australian Tourism Commission
www.tourdownunder.com.au"

[cadence90]

Is he riding alone? :rolleyes:

Still no mention of a team. A bit strange to write about his comeback race and not mention a team....

[csm]

I heard it's gonna be a two man team.
the other rider is Chuck Norris.

[Lazy Bill]

Armstrong's "Down Under" start uncertain:

Lance Armstrong made his comeback details more clear last week, saying he would begin racing at Australia's Tour Down Under, set for January 20-25. However, the Associated Press reported from the World Championships that the UCI is saying that might not be possible, per the six-month minimum notice requirement of their rules for un-retiring riders.

The UCI rule states: "A rider who has given notice of retirement from cycling to the UCI may not resume competing at international level unless he notifies the UCI at least six months in advance before he expects to return to international competition and is available for unannounced out of competition testing at any time during the period before actual return to competition."

At issue is when Armstrong notified the UCI. The AP reported on September 8 that Armstrong had already registered for the US Anti-Doping Agency's (USADA) out-of-competition testing pool and said he would be eligible for elite competition on Feb. 1, 2009. However, it is unclear as to when he notified the UCI of his intentions.

UCI president Pat McQuaid told the AP at the World Championships, "We have to look into that. I am not sure what the exact dates are that he started the program."

By the numbers, Armstrong would have had to notify the UCI by July 20, 2008 to be able to start racing for the Tour Down Under on January 20, 2009.

[rustychisel]

Indeed yes. Dunno the outcome. When it was first announced my partner said "hmmm, will he qualify under the 6 month ruling?". She can do the maths, why not those in the know? There's a couple of red faced politicians down here who were caught shouting from the rooftops.

It's big news in chickentown.

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,24414388-12428,00.html

[thinpin]

No way he's going to come back and get nabbed for doping. This fellow has the art down pat, 6 months or no 6 months. :banana: