Now that all the hoopla about Lance Armstrong's return to pro cycling is over, it's time for a new round of drama regarding whether he'll be eligible to ride in the Race Down Under.
The Australian bicycle race rolls out from Jan. 20-25, but UCI rules require that cyclists coming out of retirement be available for unannounced testing for six months prior to returning to competition.
Armstrong re-enrolled with the US Anti-Doping Agency on August 1, making him eligible to race on Feb. 1. He notes that his agent notified the UCI in mid-July.
UCI president Pat McQuaid has been adamant that “no exceptions” will be made to the 6-month rule, according to VeloNews.
Armstrong says that's fine, but reminds us that the rule isn't always applied. Mario Cipollini came out of retirement at the Tour of California on the Rock Racing cycling team without the six-month notice.
I wonder how much more drama and controversy we'll witness as Armstrong closes in on the 2009 Tour de France?
Update: Former Tour director questions Armstrong's motives
About six hours after I asked “how much more drama” etc., I'm poking around and here's this open letter from former Tour director Jean-Marie LeBlanc printed in Velo Star, as reported at VeloNews:
“It seems that you want to collect funds for your foundation into cancer research. That's a laudable intention of course but was it necessary to get out your jersey and racing shorts given the revenue your conferences make in the United States?
“They're also saying you haven't been overly impressed with the victories of your former rivals — (Oscar) Pereiro, (Alberto) Contador and (Carlos) Sastre — and that at 37 the challenge doesn't seem insurmountable; and that is something we can understand.
“But Lance, let's suppose that you'll still be competitive in 2009 — and that's a strong possibility — there is all the same a small problem which is bothering us.
“It's the side effects that your return will inevitably have on cycling's image.
“Us former riders generally have respect for winners, but that's not always the case with the public and above all the media who have heavy suspicions about you.
“The hounds will be let loose, column inches will be written, images repeated, and debate sparked about the one word which has petrified our passion over the past ten years: doping.”
I'm sure some people will go to great lengths to keep Armstrong out of next year's Tour. LeBlanc sounds like he wants to be first in line.
Recent Comments