People who don't view cycling as other mainstram sports may not yet understand how big he is about to become. For all intents and purposes he will be another Michael or Tiger. He will take home a half million for winning the tour, and untold millions in future advertising endorsements.
Not to mention that he's likely to be heavily involved in training up the next team... and his cancer foundation...
and hopefully NOT as a political lapdog for Kerry. (I can't believe they gave Kerry face time today.)
What about announcer for future tours? That's a possibility. He's very tactful with words when he wants to be.
He divides his winning up among is Discovery (previously Postal) teammates. He makes over $10 million/year currently by endorsements alone.
He is soon to become a brand name in biking. He is going nowhere.
He will take home a half million for winning the tour...
It's traditional that the winner of the Tour de France gives his portion of the prize money to his teammates, so he banks nothing from the Tour win itself. You're right, though, about the endorsement deals and the like.