Well, that bit of drama is over. The UCI has agreed to let Lance Armstrong make his official return to professional cycling at Australia's Tour Down Under, beginning Jan. 20.
The next question is: Will the Tour de France organizers allow Team Astana and Armstrong to participate in the Tour in July?
Professional cycling's governing body shortened the customary 6-month notification period that returning cyclists need to file in order to let Armstrong ride. Due to his Aug. 1 notification, he wouldn't have been eligible to race until Feb. 1.
Anti-doping
That's 12 days too late to compete in the Tour Down Under.
The rule was established in 2004 to give anti-doping regulators a chance to test athletes before they return to the sport of cycling.
The UCI said that “riders are now subject to a much reinforced system of monitoring.” It cited the out-of-competition testing and the use of the biological passport that tracks blood markers.
UCI president Pat McQuaid earlier had said that “no exceptions” would be made to the six-month waiting period. The UCI said the waiver was made after “careful assessment.”
Rejuvenate
Biking Bis readers who responded to a poll last week voted by 69% in favor of allowing Armstrong to race in Australia .
Armstrong at Tour Down Under will definitely rejuvenate that race. Director Mike Turtur is quoted:
“Lance Armstrong's decision to make his comeback in South Australia at the Tour Down Under is an absolute coup and we will do everything we can to make sure that happens.
“This is not just about a cycling superstar making a return to his sport, but his visit to Australia will be a huge boost for cancer awareness and community support for research and prevention.”
Meanwhile, the question over the Tour de France looms. Tour ownes ASO banned Team Astana from competing last year, and the new ASO program was reported as saying recently that Armstrong has “embarrassed” the race.
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