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.