Posted on 07/06/2009 2:25:37 PM PDT by lewisglad
The singular focus of the Tour de France this season was established when Lance Armstrong announced last fall he would be returning to the race he has won seven times. .
Defending champion Carlos Sastre said Armstrong could use a lesson in respect after the Texan reportedly called the race last year “a bit of a joke.’’ Sastre, a 34-year-old Spanish veteran, said Armstrong, 37, is entitled to his opinion, but he insists it’s the wrong one.
“It’s his point of view, it’s his words - his life,’’ Sastre said yesterday. “He is a great champion, he won seven Tours de France, a world championship, he’s a great rider.’’
“But behind every rider must be a person, and on that point, maybe he needs to learn something more,’’ he said, adding: “There is something wrong with him about respect.’’
In the new book, “Lance - The Making of the World’s Greatest Champion’’ by John Wilcockson, Armstrong is said to have recounted his early musings about a possible comeback after the 2008 Tour.
“The Tour was a bit of a joke this year. I’ve got nothing against Sastre . . . or Vande Velde,’’ Armstrong was quoted as saying. “Christian’s a nice guy, but finishing fifth in the Tour de France? Come on
Roselyne Bachelot, France’s sports minister, said Armstrong will be “particularly monitored’’ in anti-doping checks this year.
“The [doping] controls will be multiplied, and I tell Lance Armstrong that he will be particularly, particularly monitored,’’ Bachelot told i-Tele, a French cable network.
The head of France’s anti-doping agency, which is working with cycling’s governing body, the International Cycling Union, on doping checks for the race, has said Armstrong will be treated like any other rider regarding drug testing. The UCI is planning more than 500 doping checks this year.
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
Lance will have to drop out because of the half pint of blood per day he has to give for testing. < /sarc>
“The UCI is planning more than 500 doping checks this year.”
All to be given to Lance to make sure he does not win and make other look bad!! After all the tests he will be so low on blood and other body fluids he can’t kin!
Last year’s winner will be in the same category as those two Houston Rockets NBA titles, that came when Michael Jordan “retired”.
I would give almost anything to see that! :)
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