Lance serious about comeback

2008-09-10 15:27

Calahorra - Lance Armstrong's former team manager, Johan Bruyneel, said on Wednesday that physically there is no reason why the American cannot stage a successful comeback next year at the age of 37.

Seven times Tour winner Armstrong announced on Tuesday he planned to return to racing in 2009 after a three-year absence.

Bruyneel, who now manages the Astana team, told reporters at the start of stage 11 of the Tour of Spain in Calahorra:

"Lance is exceptional. Don't forget (Spaniard Juan) Llaneras has won Olympic medals (silver and gold on the track last month in Beijing) at 39. Lance will be 37. So, more than age, winning is a question of your psychology."

Bruyneel played down the prospect of conflict between Armstrong and Spaniard Alberto Contador, the 2007 Tour winner, if the American signed with Astana.

"If Lance were not at a good enough level to win the Tour, knowing him as well as I do, I'm sure he would be happy to help Alberto do that," he said.

Mountain bike race had inspired him

Bruyneel directed Armstrong from 1999 up to the rider's retirement in 2005 during all his successful Tour bids.

Asked if he could see Armstrong, who turns 37 on Sept 18, in any team apart from his own Kazakh-sponsored outfit, Bruyneel said: "I just can't imagine that happening".

Bruyneel said he had spoken to Armstrong for 15 minutes on Tuesday about the comeback and that his participation in a mountain bike race had inspired him to return.

"He's coming back because he loves cycling, and because he wants to use his comeback as part of his world campaign against cancer," he added.

Bruyneel did not know how successful a 37-year-old could be challenging for one of the toughest events in sport.

"Of course, we don't know exactly what level he will be at physically when he competes," he said. "But I'm very impressed by his approach to all of this."

Tour de France organisers are hardly thrilled at the prospect of Lance Armstrong returning for a shot at an eighth victory in cycling's showcase event.

Race director Christian Prudhomme said on Wednesday that the door is open for Armstrong to compete in the 2009 Tour, but he was cool on the idea and stressed the American must meet stringent new anti-doping standards to clear up the suspicions that dogged him throughout his career.

- Reuters