This is clipped from www.paceline.com

Well that is good news

Just read this but it doesn't quote Armstrong as actually saying he will ride this year's TdF, more that he will ride another TdF which we already knew anyway....

https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/othe...ng/4269959.stm

Here's the actual text from Lance's web site. The earlier link doesn't work...

ARMSTRONG ANNOUNCES INITIAL 2005 RACING SCHEDULE

2/16/2005 - After much speculation, the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team's Lance Armstrong today announced his initial 2005 racing schedule, one that will include this summer's Tour de France where he will go for a seventh straight victory. In 2004, Armstrong made history by becoming the first cyclist to win six Tours de France with a dominating performance, winning five individual stages.

"I am grateful for the opportunity that Discovery Communications has given the team and look forward to achieving my goal of a seventh Tour de France (victory)," said Armstrong.

Also on Armstrong's racing schedule is one of America's premier races - April's Tour de Georgia, an event Armstrong won in 2004. Armstrong will kick off his season early next month at Paris-Nice, a seven day stage race and the first event of the newly formed Pro Tour, the sport's top level racing series.

"I am excited to get back on the bike and start racing although my condition is far from perfect," said Armstrong.

Following Paris-Nice, Armstrong will take part in the 89th edition of the Tour of Flanders, one of Europe's most prestigious Spring Classics, on April 3. Armstrong last raced in the Tour of Flanders in 2002, finishing 59th in support of his team's leader. Armstrong will then return to the U.S. and defend his title at the Tour de Georgia, scheduled for April 19-25.

"Johan (Bruyneel, the team's sports manager) and I will evaluate my fitness later this spring and possibly add some races to the calendar," said Armstrong.

All of the event's Armstrong will participate in will be aired on the Outdoor Life Network (OLN).

Lance Armstrong Initial 2005 Schedule:

Mar 6-13 - Paris-Nice (France)

Apr 3 - Tour of Flanders (Belgium)

Apr 19-24 - Tour de Georgia (USA)

Jul 2-24 - Tour de France

They announced on Fox news radio that he will be doing it this year. Heard it 15 minutes ago.

Great news! I think his motivation will be as strong as ever knowing that this is probably his last time in this event.

Awesome News! I thought for sure he was going to take a year off. For the next 6 months it should be fun to read, listen you name it to all the speculation - he can - he can't - he can - he can't -

Go Lance !

He's going to do it on a Track Bike Too! 53-11 All the Way

Beat me to it! You know this means anyone who wants to eclipse Armstrong, it's going to take AT LEAST 7 YEARS! That is nutty.

hahahaha

COOL !!!!

I just hope the rest of the field is doing their "homework" (read: roadwork) to really give him a real fight.
Of those I can only think of: Beloki, Vinokourov and Basso. I don't think Ulrich is a threat to Lance anymore, unless LA falters, like Indurain did going for his 6th.

Corsaire

yawn

Lance wins another Tour. BFD.

Somebody got up on the wrong side of the bed....

No, he got up on the correct side of the bed, it's just that he makes a habit of searching for Lance threads so he can deficate on them. Real cool...

Um yeah.

screw the TdF! I was just waiting for him to announce that he'll be at the Tour de Georgia. i've already signed up to volunteer. Hopefully I can get a few snap shots up close.

Lance at the Tour = daily, live coverage on OLN = good thing.

I'm making a prediction if nothing else than to lift up Laggard: Basso will win this year's Tour. So long as CSC is working solely for Basso, I think he will win. Riis has put together a powerhouse, and they're riding strong.

As long as they match up with Discovery, it'll be a race. If Piil is running off of the front in the first couple of stages, or Voigt is breaking away in the mountains, or Sastre isn't committed to helping Basso, or Julich is following a break, then mail it in for Lance.

And for Ullrich fans, I don't see it happening. Not if Lance is present. Plus, that team isn't constructed well for grand tours IMHO. Not when you have Ullrich and Vinokourov and an emerging Klöden with roughly equal chances of winning (or losing). Plus Zabel. I love him. He's one of my favorites, but he's of considerably less value to Ullrich/Vino/Klöden than Benjamin Noval is to Armstrong.

IM soo happy!

fine anyof you people "hate lance" or are like" big woop" i dont giove two ****s, he is an amazing cyclist, and it an amazing achievement what he has done, i dont see you guys in the tour?

OH WAIT, damnit im going to be in africa the first 8 stages (i think) damn, ehh there just sprints.

Which scores of different riders could win. Can't say that for mountain stages.

But what if he ends up finishing in 7th or something, like Indurain in '96?

I guess he could also give up the Yellow and take the Points and KoMountains jerseys (he'll be the King of the Hill just like Hank Hill!)

i was kidding, i love the sprint stages, it really keeps me on the corner of my seat, once they start uping the pace, i am glued! I think sprint stages rock! im still pissed that i will be in africa, that sounds funny, "im mad im in africa hiking kilimanjaro because im missing the Tdf, on my tv at home"

I haven't studied the TdF stage profiles. I remember reading that the UCI was extending the distance from the finish line from 1km to 3km for riders to receive the same time if there is a crash. Are the finishes wider and more open this year? I hope so, because last year they had them winding through streets that didn't provide a good run up.

I finally got to see the after the show when Lance was on Oprah. It looks like Sheryl kind of spilled the beans. He would need to make an announcement after that show, since she all but said she was unsure about promoting her next album since it would most likely be his final run for the Tour and she wanted to be there for it.

Well, good luck to him. It's a pretty light schedule for him in the meantime. "Training" is what they were calling it in the news when they described the races he'd be using to get into top form for the T d F.

Koffee

Koffee

For the first time in about five years I'm actually going to get cable hooked up in my house so I can watch this year's tour. Also because Family Guy is coming back.