Monte Carlo: The biggest event in the cycling calendar is all set to start this weekend with world’s top cyclists gearing up for Tour De France. But all eyes are on the events most successful participant ever, Lance Armstrong.
The seven-time former champion is making a comeback to the Tour after retiring from the sport in 2005. Armstrong is back to racing with Team Astana.
Armstrong's year so far has been pretty eventful with a win at the Nevada City Classic in June, a 12th place finish at the Giro d'Italia and a crash at the Vuelta of Castilla and Leon that left him with a broken collar bone in March.
Though not many expect him to give a repeat performance of his previous exploits at the Tour de France this year, the 37-year-old champion may just spring a surprise
"It's different because I have been gone for four years that's why. It's going to be hard like some of the others and that's the nature of this event. I think the biggest challenge will be the time away, not so much the age because I feel good but I think the break will be hard," said Armstrong about his prospects.
When asked was he as excited as in the past, Armstrong replied, "Ask me Saturday afternoon but I think so, I'm excited and I'm happy to be here."
"It's a good team the best team in the race I think, it has its share of complications but its a good group," he said about Team Astana.
Meanwhile, former world champion Tom Boonen, too, is gearing up for the 2009 Tour de France after he was cleared by a French arbitration court in a dope test.
"After the decision announced on the 3rd of July by the Sport Arbitration Chamber, Tom Boonen of the Quick Step team will be at the start of the 2009 Tour de France ASO (Amaury Sport Organisation) takes this decision into account. The management of the Tour de France believes that, considering the great champion that Tom Boonen is, he will relish the opportunity that has been given to him and that he will have an exemplary attitude during the event," race organisers said in a statement.
Boonen had been banned from the race by tour organisers ASO after he failed an out-of-competition test for cocaine in April.
Comments
0 comment