Could lance go for SEVEN?

WINGNUTT

Now that Lance just won his 6th TDF, is it possible he will try for 7? Has he said anything about this?

gntlmn

He has said that he wants to ride the TdF next year, but he is not about to say that would be going for number 7. He is very focused on this year. There is still a long ways to go before they go into Paris. It looks good for Lance so far, but it's not in the bag yet until he pedals the Champs Elysees.

WINGNUTT

Hmmm interesting.


Sorry for the freudian slip - I meant to say Lance "may" win his 6th...

steve

He'll be 34 next year, how old was the oldest TDF winer?

regards,

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Steve

CyclingForums.com

WINGNUTT

I believe 36.

mitosis

Or 8. Unfortunately it seems like this year is over, and JU must be getting sick of running second (or third or fourth this year). He'd have to be a mental wreck.

There doesn't seem to be a standout youngster ready to take over so why shouldn't Lance keep going.

davidbod

Yes long way to go yet to count 6 done, but looking very good.

He has a new sponsor "Discovery Channel" and I can't imagine they would sign on whithout some assurance Lance would actally be riding for their first Tour attempt. During the press conference announcing the new sponsor one of the Discovery Channel guys was joking about number 7.

musette

I agree. LA must have committed to at least participation in the TdF 05 to have gotten Discovery Channel on board. From Velonews' report on the Discovery Channel press conference:

"'There are a lot of people in cycling who thought that this would perhaps be a magical summer, and history would be made and a sixth Tour would be won, and I would go away forever. And that is an idea,' laughed Armstrong. 'But as I sat around [thinking] ... I just didn't want to go away. I still love what I do, and I still love the bike.' With that, Armstrong committed to continuing his career beyond this year's Tour de France, win or lose. 'I just didn't want to retire. So I'm glad I'll be back for at least a year, maybe two.'... Despite Armstrong's deep attachment to the Postal years, he was all smiles when Campbell presented him with a Discovery jersey, telling Armstrong, 'We wanted to show everyone how great you will look when you get your seventh win in 2005.' Over the applause of the assembled Discovery Channel workers, Armstrong, fingers crossed, responded only, 'Let's get through number six first, Billy.'"

gntlmn

Actually, he will be 34 next year, but not until September. During the TdF, he will still be 33. He's 32 now.

http://www.fact-index.com/l/la/lance_armstrong.html

philoakley

It wouldn't surprise me if Lance rides next year's TDF. However, I think that he will attempt to win the Giro d'Italia as his main priority as if he wins 6 TDF's he will have nothing more to prove there.

steve

except a 7th

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Steve

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MidBunchLurker

I hope you're right - he needs the giro on his cv. He could probably pull off the vuelta in the same year too.

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nick.

www.nickcoyne.com

jony

Hmm... Lance in Giro. That is funny. Garzelli and Simoni being the major opponents?

WINGNUTT

phil, your prediction might be accurate - check out this article on SI.com:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/20...5.ap/index.html


"Asked if he would skip next year's Tour to focus on other events, Armstrong said: "It's too hard to say."

"I haven't made a schedule yet," he added. "It's fair to say there's still a lot of things I'd like to do in cycling, like the classics and the hour record, that require a different type of focus."

The key factor would appear to hinge on sponsor demands. Before the Tour, his team signed a three-year, multimillion-dollar sponsorship deal with the Discovery Channel, which will replace U.S. Postal Service.
...
However, The New York Times reported Friday that this was the last time Armstrong would compete in the race. A high-ranking official among race organizers, who did not want to be identified, told the paper Armstrong already has informed the Tour of his plans.

According to the paper, the official said Armstrong saw no point in trying for a seventh title and that this was a gesture of respect for the four cyclists who have won five times."