Lance’s video announcement at La Gazzetta dello Sport

AP article

siad the disco/postal fan boy

far more exciting than LA riding the TdF

I had hoped during Lance’s final year that he would have gone after some of the Classics and the Giro. Had he added, say Liege/Amstel/Lomabardia, and the Giro to his palmares, I would rank him somewhat higher on the legend totem pole. I suppose it’s better late than never.

I would still prefer that he take the start in the Ronde and/or Roubaix. Hinault despised both of these races, yet won PR just to prove a point. Lance should have skipped win 7, and honored the sport by paying respect to some of the other epic races. I think he’d cull more favor with the “anti Lance camp” if he were to leave the Tour off his schedule and focus on other objectives like the Giro.

I believe this when I see it. It’s easy to make headlines and videos in the offseason.

Speaking of the Giro, until the silly Kohl thingy interrupted, I was writing a course rumors post. I’ll have it up lates. Promise :-)

hires Greg Lemond as their main correspondent! Now that would be funny – Lemond just hounding Armstrong the whole race! “Hey Lance, didn’t see you at dinner last night, what were you doing?” “Lance, it’s great that you’re in Italy again, don’t you get a lot of your medical care here?”

I guess that’s not a very nice thing to say…but hey, it would be damn funny.

Here’s the viewer feedback email: feedback@versus.com

Here’s the “Contact Versus” webpage: http://www.versus.com/article/view/740/?tf=footerArticles.tpl

I don’t know if they listen, but let’s send a few emails and letters to let them know that we want to watch the Giro in 2009. I just did.

if it gets focus to the proper place: curing cancer.

cuz when cancer is cured, there is FAR less of a chance of someone with massive skill winning the world championship at a young-ish age and then getting testicular cancer, somehow benefiting from a cocktail of every substance currently banned (for treating said cancer, PEOPLE!) and then gaining super cycling skillz to win 7 (+?) tours de frances.
right?

I’m excited about riding the Giro and I’m definitely coming to try to win because there’s a chance that the Giro will be the only three-week stage race I’ll ride. There are still doubts about the Tour de France. Everybody knows how important it is but with the problems that I’ve got with the organisers, journalists and fans, I could get distracted from mission, which is to focus world attention on the fight against cancer. I hope a diplomatic and pacific solution can be found. Before announcing my comeback I contacted the (Tour de France) organisers but I still haven’t had an answer. Is there a chance they won’t invite me? Anything could happen but I find it incredible, a kind of own goal. I want to be in Paris but with a relaxed atmosphere.

The Comic, quoting Gazzetta dello Sport

The seven-time Tour winner explained once again his desire to fully cooperate in the doping controls, which includes his own personal testing. The results will be made available on the internet. “Don Catlin is an authority and has an indisputable reputation. But I will also be tested by WADA [World Anti Doping Agency], USADA [USA anti-doping agency], UCI [international cycling union], IOC [international Olympic committee, USOC [USA Olympic committee]. I will be available to everyone, anytime.”

From CN

No mention of the Damsgaard program. Either they are ditching Damsgaard in favour of Catlin, LA is excempt from the team test program or Lance is getting forgetful with age. Has anyone read anything on this?

I read Moser’s comment about Lance’s comeback and his participation in the Giro. This guy sounded completely clueless about Lance’s activities during his “retirement”, and he also just comes across as a guy jealous of Lance or bitter about something. As far as being clueless, I wonder if Moser knows that Lance’s retirement hasn’t been about resting on a couch and getting fat like LeMond. The guy has been running marathons at a pretty wicked fast pace and looking extremely fit. His recent performances on a mountain bike are nothing to scoff at either. I look forward to the Moser’s like gavia eating a huge helping of crow. But I also welcome more Moser’s to speak up and provide Lance with even more motivation, not that Lance has ever lacked motivation. Keep it up you skeptics and naysayers and bitter, clueless Moser’s.

Gavia was only saying she’ll believe Lance rides the Giro when he’s on the start list.
Maybe this is her way of using reverse pschology to insure he does ride the Giro.

If so – brilliant!