SA Footy

Lance Armstrong has confirmed that he will restart his Pro Cycling career at the Tour down under

LANCE Armstrong - the world's greatest cyclist - will ride in the Tour Down Under next year, in a colossal coup for South Australia's great race.

Premier Mike Rann this afternoon announced that Armstrong - a seven-time Tour De France champion between 1999 and 2005 - would ride in next year's Tour Down Under.

The race will take place in and around Adelaide from January 20 to 25 next year.

Lance Armstrong retired from racing after the 2005 Tour De France, but a few months ago announced he would return to competitive racing in 2009.

The Tour Down Under will be the first race in his comeback.

Armstrong's participation in the race was confirmed by the premier this afternoon, with the Texan set to reveal his race schedule in the US later today.

Mr Rann said Armstrong's involvement would make next year's race the biggest event in Australian cycling history.

He said it had the potential to double the 15,000 spectators who came to SA to watch this year's race.

Armstrong recently announced his decision to return to the pro peleton in a bid to win an eighth Tour De France crown and also to promote the fight against cancer worldwide.

He famously recovered from testicular cancer to win his first tour in 1999.

That is massive news. You can't buy that sort of worldwide media exposure.

Great news for the state. Hopefully this gets more of the bigger names to come out for the tour over the coming years.

Such great news.

http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2008/ ... 26824.html

Can't believe I'll miss it.

now he is in doubt http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/stor ... 01,00.html

Now it looks like he'll be allowed to ride. Essentially because Armstrong has already ridden a sanctioned event and Cippolini did likewise without the 6 months "passport" fairly recently they're basically trying to embarass the UCI into allowing his 12 days grace on this or look like a bunch of incompetent hypocrites.

Thiele wrote:now he is in doubt http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/stor ... 01,00.html

No doubt anymore, he'll bring the people out for a look.

This is great news for cycling and for SA. I am looking forward to the Tour Down Under.....

hearts on fire wrote:This is great news for cycling and for SA. I am looking forward to the Tour Down Under.....

couldnt agree with you anymore there cheif

ill be down there watching for sure

What are the dates of TDU?
And do they have a twilight race through Glenelg?
Lance Armstrong is an absolute champion.

TroyGFC wrote:What are the dates of TDU?
And do they have a twilight race through Glenelg?
Lance Armstrong is an absolute champion.

dates 20th-25th Jan

No Glenelg race this year

Rymill Park, Adelaide is Sunday 19th Jan

Thiele wrote:

TroyGFC wrote:What are the dates of TDU?
And do they have a twilight race through Glenelg?
Lance Armstrong is an absolute champion.

dates 20th-25th Jan

No Glenelg race this year

Rymill Park, Adelaide is Sunday 19th Jan

If want anymore info go to http://www.tourdownunder.com.au/2009/

I think Lance arrives next Saturday

cheers mate

Having the week off for the TDU! Can't wait! Been meaning to do so for ages. Having family in the Barossa very handy for the Friday 23rd stage! As the great Darryl Eastlake once said, IT'LL BE HUGE!!!!!

Have front Line seats at an eatery in Stirling for that stage on the 21st. You gotta love coporate hospitality, 3 course meals, wines and beer couldn't think of a better option!

If you want to show your support for Team UniSA Australia head to www.unisa.edu.au/tdu Should be a massive year for the Tour Down Under.