I don't understand it, really. He rode into the sunset, having won more TdFs than anyone else ever had (or likely would, for a while), has successfully dodged the doping allegations, and seemed to be doing pretty well, getting into triathlons and whatnot.
Why would he want to expose himself to all the doping nonsense again? I don't really have an opinion on whether Lance did or did not dope, but I can imagine a pro athlete who was clean would find it all immensely frustrating. If I had won eight Tours, I'd sure figure I'd had my day.
I'd think it would do more to highlight the "global cancer burden" if he were to sponsor his own team and keep younger riders in the Tour for years to come. He can't do it himself forever.
I am kind of surprised that he hasn't just started his own team...which leads to the question, which team is he going to ride for? The vanity Fair article said that it would be a team led by Johann Bruyneel, but it didn't say it was going to be Astana.
I am always annoyed when professional athletes come out of retirement. I am a big Brett Favre fan, but dude, give it up. He made such a big deal out of retiring, even cried at the press conference. And then he's back within months. It's so anti-climactic. They don't know when to quit. And then they end up like Troy Aikman or Drew Bledsoe, who held on too long and ended up sucking and only retired because they weren't wanted anymore. If you have the chance to go out like Elway, go out like Elway.
And even though I made that about football, the same holds true with cycling. Make the decision, hang up your bike shorts, and pursue other things. I almost feel like Lance wants to be in the headlines again. He could have retired like Elway and now he runs the risk of retiring like Bledsoe.
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Why would he want to expose himself to all the doping nonsense again? I don't really have an opinion on whether Lance did or did not dope, but I can imagine a pro athlete who was clean would find it all immensely frustrating. If I had won eight Tours, I'd sure figure I'd had my day.
I'd think it would do more to highlight the "global cancer burden" if he were to sponsor his own team and keep younger riders in the Tour for years to come. He can't do it himself forever.
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And even though I made that about football, the same holds true with cycling. Make the decision, hang up your bike shorts, and pursue other things. I almost feel like Lance wants to be in the headlines again. He could have retired like Elway and now he runs the risk of retiring like Bledsoe.
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