I found this article by following a link from lancearmstrong.com. Lance says he will try for his 6th TdF victory next year. His website also suggests that the article linked above holds the key to his mysterious statements about the difficulties plaguing his '03 Tour...difficulties that we don't know of.

wow, hes going for another one.... ok.. he is a machine!

thanks for the article

-Ross

Hmmmmmmm. I want more info!

I love that guy! and Taylor Hamilton!!! They are my inspiration.

-Dan the Man-

I had expected his trouble this year when I heard of his family problems. I'm married and whether you like it or not, if it's not right at home it's tough to get focused.

I never heard of family problems (which just means I don't check his site). What happened? Just marital stress?

PS Will there be some kind of 2003 TdF video/DVD or something released in the new few months? I've followed the whole thing (except for missing the prologue) and would love to have something to pop into the DVD player during thw winter...

Lance and Kirsten were separated for a short time. They have, for now, reconciled. It was good to see her at the finish line the last few days.

As for the DVD/Video, World Cydling Productions offers a several packages: 4 hour video or enhanced DVD, and 10 hour video or enhanced DVD with Phil and Paul's excellent play-by-play.

Click here for World Cycling Productions

AWESOME on the DVD!

Sad to hear about Lance and Kik (but glad they're back together). Was it just the pressures of training?

I think it was the pressures of living with Lance. He tends to be a bit obsessive and was frequently absent from home.

Uh oh. I hope they can make it another year and then he can retire. They seem like a good couple.

From what I have read, a, if not THE issue, is her loathing of Europe, France in particular. She likes Texas and wants an American life. This has always been a problem with many excellent riders from the US, not just wives. I don't think Lance loves it over there either, but is willing to put up with it for 6 moths a year for training purposes. She didn't accompany him this year to as many destinations as normal. She stayed in Texas as much as possible. Hope it works for next year. Never good to throw family away.

looks like we will have to wait for the new book to find out what those "other things" were. I will be first in line to get it too. I loved the first one. If you have not read it, read it now!

With Lance looking so much stronger and more like "his old self" during the last mountain stage to the finish, I would have been surprised if he chose to retire after five consecutive victories. The chance for six straight Tour wins and cycling immortality is just too great to pass up. It's great to tie Merykx's record, but it would be better to break it. I think he's learned a lot about how much his body can stand at his age and his training for next year will reflect that. I think he has a good chance for number six, but it will depend on the USPS team around him more than ever. Ullrich and Beloki will be going for broke again to get the win for themselves and their teams.

Hasn't he kind of beat Eddie since his 5 were in a row? I kind of put Lance and Indurain at the top of the "5" list...

Whoops! Carl, you're right. I meant Indurain with 5 consecutive wins. Thanks for the correction.

I'm hoping next year's TdF will be as exciting as this year's sans the crashes. It will be great to see the intensity of Beloki, Ullrich, Vino, Hamilton and Armstrong all on top of their game and all battling it out for the yellow. And it's possible that next year will uncover other up-and-coming contenders.

I would put him at the top of the "5" list. Not only were his and Indurain's consecutive victories but, they also happened in a modern tour atmosphere with more high caliber riders going for the tour win.