Armstrong coming out of retirement for another Tour

Armstrong coming out of retirement for another Tour
By Sal Ruibal, USA TODAY

Lance Armstrong says he's back in the saddle, determined to win an eighth Tour de France and recharge his global anti-cancer battle.

At 37, he would be the oldest winner in the history of the world's biggest cycling race
next July. His new team hasn't been decided.

"After talking with my children, my family and my closest friends, I have decided to return to professional cycling in order to raise awareness of the global cancer burden," Armstrong said Tuesday in a statement posted on his livestrong.com website.

Longtime coach Chris Carmichael said Armstrong became reinvigorated about riding in the Tour after training for the Leadville Trail 100 mountain bike race held last month in Colorado. He finished second, "but it really brought out his spirit," Carmichael said. "It's like 1999 all over again."

Armstrong has been training in Aspen, Colo. "It is easier to get lean at altitude," Carmichael said. "It was an integral part of his training before and he's responded well to it this time."

While other sports stars have struggled with comeback attempts, Carmichael says Armstrong has stayed in great shape, focusing on his core strength.

Armstrong says he will announce more details of his comeback and cancer battle at the Clinton Global Initiative, Sept. 24 in New York.

"This year alone, nearly eight million people will die of cancer worldwide," he said in his statement. "It's now time to address cancer on a global level."

He told Vanity Fair he is "100 percent" committed to racing the Tour and noted
performances by older athletes such as 41-year-old Olympic swimmer Dara Torres.

Armstrong's return has already generated much enthusiasm. "To see Lance back racing in the sport's marquee event is without a doubt one of the most exciting things that can happen to American cycling," said Andy Lee, spokesman for USA Cycling.

ARMSTRONG FACTS AND FIGURES

Age: 36. Born Sept. 18, 1971, in Dallas, Texas.

Children: Luke; twins Grace and Isabelle. Their mother, Kristin, and Armstrong divorced in 2003.

Tour de France Wins: Seven, 1999-2005.

Stage Victories: 22, 11 of them time trials.

Stages Won, When and Where:

--1993: Verdun.

--1995: Limoges.

--1999: Puy du Fou (prologue time trial), Metz (time trial), Sestrieres, Futuroscope (time trial).

--2000: Mulhouse (time trial).

--2001: L'Alpe d'Huez, Chamrousse (time trial), Saint-Lary-Soulan, Saint-Amand-Montrond (time trial).

--2002: Luxembourg (prologue time trial), La Mongie, Plateau de Beille, Macon (time trial).

--2003: Luz-Ardiden.

--2004: Plateau de Beille, Villard-de-Lans, L'Alpe d'Huez (time trial), Le Grand Bornand, Besancon (time trial).

--2005: Saint-Etienne (time trial).

Team Time Trial Wins: 3, with U.S. Postal Service and Discovery Channel squads, 2003-2005.

Biggest Winning Margin: 7 minutes, 37 seconds over Alex Zulle, 1999.

Smallest Winning Margin: 61 seconds, over Jan Ullrich, 2003.

Winning Margin in 2005: 4 minutes, 40 seconds, over Ivan Basso.

Yellow Jerseys Worn: 83.