Velonews is reporting on a rumor that says Lance Armstrong is coming back to ride for Astana in 2009. The magnitude of this rumor is indescribable. Armstrong making a comeback is beyond the realm of reality; it comes completely out of left field. The impact the Texan's return would have on the sport in America and the world can not be underrated.
The question now is why? Why would Armstrong come back after so many years away? Why would he come back after having experienced so much success during his career? And why would he come back when he knows that young riders like Alberto Contador can most likely blow his doors off? Maybe that is the reason. To do what he has done his entire career: prove the doubters wrong.
Unfortunately, regardless of what preparation he has done or is planning on doing, it will be extremely hard for Armstrong to get back to the level he was at when he left the sport three seasons ago. At 37, he is ancient by cycling terms. But we said that a few weeks ago about Tyler Hamilton, and look what he did at the US Pro championship.
Another possibility for Armstrong's return could be his desire to prove that he is a clean athlete. With all the recent revelations about the US Postal/Discovery dynasty's former riders testing positive, perhaps Armstrong wants to show that he can compete (and possibly win) with the world's best while providing clear indicators of his blood values to the public.
And what about the Tour of Georgia? Reports have recently surfaced that the event was in danger of being cancelled for 2009 due to decreased attendance. Armstrong used the Tour of Georgia as a prep race for the Tour, and was largely responsible for the event's success over the years. Could he have a stake in the stage race, and want to help bolster its marketability?
Finally, this may all just be about the human condition. Armstrong is an athlete in his heart of hearts. He loves competition, and while his Livestrong Foundation keeps him busy, it can't provide the rush of excitment that a big time stage race can. At the end of the day, Armstrong may just want to feel the rush of competition again.
As the cycling world gains knowledge of this revelation, expect buzz in the cycling world to increase ten-fold. Armstrong's comeback will not only affect the Astana team and the five races he is planning on participating in, but it will have a far-reaching effect on the other top teams in the cycling world. Columbia, for example, may have to face the possibility of George Hincapie leaving to be at the side of Armstrong for the Tour, as he always has been in the past.
Plus, where will riders like Cadel Evans, Bernhard Kohl and the Scheck brothers choose to race in 2009? Surely not at the Tour de France against the mighty Lance Armstrong. As usual, Lance has managed to garner all of the attention in the cycling world, and he hasn't even made his announcement official yet. Starting in California in February, expect the 2009 cycling season to be an absolute circus as one of the biggest names in cycling plans his comeback to the sport.
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