Comeback Kids: Ivan Basso, Lance Armstrong, Floyd Landis Look for Redemption in 2009

If only Ullrich would come back, we could possibly see this again . . .

As most of the cycling world knows, Ivan Basso, Lance Armstrong and Floyd Landis will all be back in the game of cycling in 2009. While Basso and Landis are coming off of doping suspensions, Armstrong has chosen to ride professionally again both to raise global awareness regarding the search for the cure for cancer, and perhaps also to dissuade those who would suggest that Armstrong won his 7 Tours de France with chemical assistance. Each will hope to regain their grand tour winning form in the coming year.

For Basso, there is already some indication that the Italian climbing talent will be able to contend in next year's Giro d'Italia. An excellent performance in the recent Japan Cup showed that Basso is on good form and ready to attack the 2009 season. He should be on the list of contenders when the Tour of California rolls along, at least as a possible stage winner. And when the Giro rolls around in May, Basso will be a top favorite, regardless of whether Armstrong is on form or not.

Armstrong meanwhile has made it clear he'll race the Tour Down Under ahead of the Tour of California. The Texan will hope that the Australian stage race will get him race ready for California, where he'll ride in support of Levi Leipheimer, who will be looking to win the overall title for a third straight year. After Paris-Nice, Armstrong will go to the Giro for the first time ever, where he'll hope for a podium finish, at minimum. A month after the Giro, maybe, just maybe (according to him) he'll compete in the Tour de France. The smart money has Armstrong on the start line in Monaco, and the real drama will begin should Armstrong have good form. If he does, an internal split could occur withing the Astana team as Alberto Contador struggles to establish himself as the clear leader of the Kazahk-based team.

Floyd Landis has decided to ride for the California OUCH team, and will not have the chance to ride in many big time European stage races. Instead, he'll no doubt focus on the NRC overall title. At only 32, Landis still has enough time left in his career to rebuild his legacy. With a good 2009, the Pennsylvania native may have a chance to catch on with a Pro Tour team. But to do that, he'll need to have an excellent ride at the Tours of California, Georgia and Missouri. Each of the three American stage races will be key in proving to the world that Landis can ride with the best. If he can manage a few stage wins or a GC podium, the much maligned American should receive offers from bigger squads for 2010.

As Basso, Armstrong, and Landis all plan their comebacks, media attention for cycling should increase. Landis is a controversial, unapologetic spoiler, Armstrong a business-like, cold stubborn maverick, and Basso a soft-spoken yet confident returning superstar. Each will play an important role in the 2009 cycling season, and the Tour of California will feature all three of them at once, which should provide an intriguing beginning to the 2009 cycling season.