Armstrong considering return from retirement

Zero2Cool · Sep 6, 2005

"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,'' Armstrong said. "I'm not willing to put a percentage on the chances, but I will no longer rule it out.''

This made me smile! I hope he comes back an gets his number eight. Maybe then that'll shut them up.

Associated Press said:
AUSTIN, Texas -- After winning his seventh Tour de France title, Lance Armstrong stepped off the winner's podium in Paris and into retirement, declaring, "I'm finished.''

Six weeks later, he's already talking about a comeback.

"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,'' Armstrong said. "I'm not willing to put a percentage on the chances, but I will no longer rule it out.''

When he retired, Armstrong said he was looking forward to time away from the grueling months of training and six-hour rides around the countryside.

He planned to spend a few days "with a beer, having a blast'' with time dedicated to playing with his three young children from his first marriage.

But he's been dogged in recent weeks with allegations of performance-enhancing drug use. On Aug. 23, the French newspaper L'Equipe reported it had evidence that six of Armstrong's urine samples from the '99 Tour tested positive last year for the blood booster EPO. The substance was banned in 1999, but there was no reliable test at the time.

Armstrong has angrily denied the charge, saying he was a victim of a "setup.''

He first hinted of a comeback in an interview Monday with the Austin American-Statesman. An Armstrong spokesman on Tuesday said the comments were a joke, but within hours, the cyclist confirmed it was possible.

"I'm thinking it's the best way,'' to anger the French, he told the newspaper. "I'm exercising every day.''

Dan Osipow, manager of Armstrong's Discovery Channel team, seemed to be caught off-guard by Armstrong's comments, but said the cyclist appears determined to protect his legacy.

"That to me sounds very Lance-like. It leaves things open and the motivation seems pretty clear. He is immensely proud of his reputation,'' Osipow said.

"Lance was pretty definitive when he announced his plans for retirement. But circumstances change. Who knows?'' Osipow said. "I leave that to him. We all know he planned on staying fit.''

Although Armstrong will be 34 by next year's race, Osipow said it's likely he could win again.

"People said if he'd stuck around, he'd be the favorite the next two, three, four years,'' Osipow said.

Armstrong had said he'd be back on the Tour next year, as adviser for the Discovery Channel team. Now it could be as the lead rider.

"He owns part of the team,'' Osipow said. "If there's a certain rider from Texas who wants to join the team, we'll have space.''

all about da packers · Sep 6, 2005

Well, how nice would it be to see Armstrong destroy the French in their own back yard (again)?

Philtration · Sep 6, 2005

I do not follow bike racing but it would be nice to see him do it again just to stick it to the French! (The most ungrateful country in the world)

NCPackerfan · Sep 7, 2005

The Associated Press Friday, August 5, 2005; 11:00 PM PARIS, France -- Lance Armstrong's record setting seventh Tour de France victory, along with his entire Tour de France legacy, may be tarnished by what could turn out to be one of the greatest sports scandals of all time. Armstrong is being quizzed by French police after three banned substances were found in his South France hotel room while on vacation after winning the 2005 Tour de France. The three substances found were toothpaste, deodorant, and soap... which have been banned by French authorities for over 75 years. Armstrong's girlfriend, American rocker Sheryl Crowe, is quoted as saying "We use them every day in America, so we naturally thought they'd be ok throughout Europe."

Along with these three banned substances, French authorities also physically searched Armstrong and found several other interesting items that they had never seen before, including a backbone and testicles.

Ryan · Sep 7, 2005

LOL NC, that was great.

Miskito · Sep 7, 2005

Like you, Phil, I could really care less about bicycling, but I really love his attitude in concerns to these accusations. When will the French learn to quit, give up, surrender? oops.

arrowgargantuan · Sep 7, 2005

bahahahaha...that last sentence really did it for me. good stuff NC.

PackerChick · Sep 7, 2005

stick it to em lance, from a fellow biker.

Philtration · Sep 7, 2005

Miskito said:
Like you, Phil, I could really care less about bicycling, but I really love his attitude in concerns to these accusations. When will the French learn to quit, give up, surrender? oops.

LOL

Philtration · Sep 7, 2005

NCPackerfan said:
The Associated Press Friday, August 5, 2005; 11:00 PM PARIS, France -- Lance Armstrong's record setting seventh Tour de France victory, along with his entire Tour de France legacy, may be tarnished by what could turn out to be one of the greatest sports scandals of all time. Armstrong is being quizzed by French police after three banned substances were found in his South France hotel room while on vacation after winning the 2005 Tour de France. The three substances found were toothpaste, deodorant, and soap... which have been banned by French authorities for over 75 years. Armstrong's girlfriend, American rocker Sheryl Crowe, is quoted as saying "We use them every day in America, so we naturally thought they'd be ok throughout Europe."

Along with these three banned substances, French authorities also physically searched Armstrong and found several other interesting items that they had never seen before, including a backbone and testicles.

Haaahaaaahahaaaaaaa... nicely done!

Anubis · Sep 7, 2005

Philtration said:
I do not follow bike racing but it would be nice to see him do it again just to stick it to the French! (The most ungrateful country in the world)

Finally something we agree on, Phil! :wink:

GO PACK!

Robert C. Hedley

Cheesehog · Sep 8, 2005

They did't know what toothpaste was in France? I thought they invented it there because if it had been any where else they would have called it "teethpaste". :mrgreen:

NDPackerFan · Sep 9, 2005

I heard the French were accusing Lance Armstrong of using three banned substances - soap, shampoo, and toothpaste.

Just because the French don't believe in hygiene, does it mean the rest of the world shouldn't like to clean up once in a while?

tromadz · Sep 9, 2005

lol. cold blooded

Armstrong considering return from retirement

Zero2Cool Cheesehead

all about da packers Cheesehead

Philtration Cheesehead

NCPackerfan Cheesehead

Ryan Cheesehead

Miskito Cheesehead

arrowgargantuan Cheesehead

PackerChick Cheesehead

Philtration Cheesehead

Philtration Cheesehead

Anubis Cheesehead

Cheesehog Cheesehead

NDPackerFan Cheesehead

tromadz Cheesehead

Share This Page

Armstrong considering return from retirement

Zero2Cool Cheesehead

all about da packers Cheesehead

Philtration Cheesehead

NCPackerfan Cheesehead

Ryan Cheesehead

Miskito Cheesehead

arrowgargantuan Cheesehead

PackerChick Cheesehead

Philtration Cheesehead

Philtration Cheesehead

Anubis Cheesehead

Cheesehog Cheesehead

NDPackerFan Cheesehead

tromadz Cheesehead

Share This Page

Useful Searches