Savoldelli backs Lance
2005-09-16 18:49
Milan - Paolo Savoldelli, back-to-back winner of the Tour of Italy, has defended Lance Armstrong's decision not to return for an eighth straight Tour de France crown next year.
The seven-times winner this week quashed talk of a comeback, saying he'd spoken too soon when suggesting he might aim for an eighth Tour of France title to spite French organisers after being accused of doping by L'Equipe newspaper.
Savoldelli said: "He'll be disappointed about the accusations of doping but with his traditional strong moral strength, which has made him better than everyone, he's never wavered from his original intention to leave after the 2005 Tour of France."
Retirement does not figure in Savoldelli's plans with a Tour of Italy hat-trick his main aim for next year.
- SAPA