According to NY times (http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/23/sports/sportsspecial/23lance.html), he might not be back next year, that I could understand, but out of respect of other 5-time winner? I doubt it.

pure speculation

Not registering to read an article sorry

Not registering to read an article sorry

Here's the free version.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5493267/

I don't see any reason for Lance to retire. If it's true, I can see the hidden line says, "The organizer wants him to retire."

So if you don't do the big tours, what is left ? Do the one day classics get all that much attention...Seems disappointing to do one day classics when all the speculation at the classics is just how are you preparing for the big tours.

According to NY times (http://www.nytimes.com/2004/07/23/sports/sportsspecial/23lance.html), he might not be back next year, that I could understand, but out of respect of other 5-time winner? I doubt it.

The NY Times said it?

If the NY Times said the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, you better check it out.

They may have the lowest integrity of any newspaper in America.

BTW...the speculation is that Lance will ride classics and maybe do the Giro next year. I think he got his bellyfull of the Tour Day France this year with the fans.

Latest news reports says LA has really a belly full of certain Drunk Germans.
Why spit at Lance? Jan is the one who needed a little extra traction.

Sounds like he's considering doing either the Giro or Vuelta with a lot of the one-day classics. I personally think it's a great move -- the only thing keeping him from being widely known as the greatest cyclist of all time is winning a few of the other grand tours, a la Merckx. Besides, with him showing this much dominance this year, think of how great it would be to see him still winning a grand tour 3, 4, or maybe even 5 years down the road.

this reminds me of the greatness of michael jordan. in the early-mid 90's everyone said he was a scorer and was a lousy defender. he went out and worked on his defense and became NBA all-defensive team for 3 straight years.

lance is looking ahead 10 years + and is writing his resume of wins, accomplishments.

Perhaps I'm naive, ok I am, but it would be great to see him push, and participate in, the races here in the states more. Maybe pick one of the US Tours to promote as a new "grand tour" ? His participation would draw a lot of attention and clout. Why does all the action have to be in Europe?

i have a hard time believing that the discovery channel would have signed up as a sponser without some gaurantee of LA sticking around for atleast another year, but who knows.

All the article is saying is he may not ride the TdF.
If you recall he rode the Mortirollo (Giro) prior to the Giro
getting there. Speculation was that he was scouting Giro
stages. I bet we see Lance ride Giro and maybe Vuelta next
year, and as well as classics.
Discovery will still get Lance as a rider, just not a TdF rider.
This would also possibly keep Floyd in the team if he is designated
leader (and he does deserve it).
Lots of speculation but no hard facts.

Marty

Blurb on velonews during thier live coverage today said that he might try for the hour record. That would rock. The hour record is just so pure. Go as fast as you can for an hour on the track, furthest distance wins. I'd love to see him try for it.

Blurb on velonews during thier live coverage today said that he might try for the hour record. That would rock. The hour record is just so pure. Go as fast as you can for an hour on the track, furthest distance wins. I'd love to see him try for it.

That would be neat. I'd like to see UCI try and screw with Lance the way they did with Obree. Motherf%$#ers!

Check cyclingnews.com, they have a story on this.

It seems that with his sixth win, he is finally going to concentrate on other races. I think he realizes now (a little too late, maybe?) that he really has what it takes to be an all-time great and wants to win some more classics and other GTs.

I wish that he would race in the giro. He also needs to take a crack at that one hour record.

While I hope this speculation is wrong, it would certainly be good for the Giro if he switched his focus to that next year. Armstrong vs. Cunego, could be interesting. I have a hard time imagining him not riding the Tour though. It would be weird.

I'd like to see him continue TDF till he gets beat but finishes it, gets thunderous ovation at the final finish line. That way, I won't have to wonder how many he could have won(if he tried). I already have a few things make me keep wondering, like what if he didn't get suffer from cancer, he could have two more in '97 and '98. I'm a strong believer, he could.

There's so much more to the season than just the TdF. I'm with the chorus that'd love to see LA expand his season for what will probably be his last few years. It's the breaking of the record that grabs the moment. From (at least this) fan's perspective #7 and how many others would be anti-climactic. What won't be anti-climactic is watching LA add a Giro and some Classics or an Hour Record to his palmares.

The important issue is what will Discovery think? Will they think it possible that Americans will watch cycling, even LA, if it isn't the TdF? If not we'll see a shot at #7 next year. Personally, I hope the Discovery suits have more imagination than that.

:beer:

i've read in several different papers and online sources that the discovery deal required him to ride next year as well, i know the various sources might be wrong, but it does make sense