09.19.2008 11:15 pm
Hokey smoke, Bullwinkle! Armstrong may want to buy Tour de France, report states
Saint Louis Post-Dispatch
Seriously, or so the Sydney Morning Herald is surmising in Saturday’s edition.
Story entitled:Â Once he dominated - now Lance could own the Tour
Tis an interesting theory to say the least, that Armstrong “may” team with former UCI head Hein Verbruggen and buy the Tour de France and other races from Amaury Sports Organization and use ‘em to build his international cancer-fighting brand, LIVESTRONG.
It certainly would be a bodacious move, but I must point out that the Sydney story is long on speculation and short on facts, or artribution of the “rumors.” (Much like my tongue-in-cheek rationalization for Indurain to “perhaps” launch a comeback.)
Whatever the story, Armstrong will speak more about his comeback Wednesday in New York.
–30–
If Lance were to buy the Tour, I have no doubt French advertisers and sponsors would pull out of the event. The French media (and a lot of the French) don’t like Lance because of his automaton-like performance during several of his seven Tour victories. I wouldn’t be surprised if the threat of Armstrong owning the thing is enough alone to get the UCI, ASO and the ProTour to hold hands and make up.