The Tour 2009 promises to be more interesting than ever. After the announced return of Lance Armstrong, rumours say that a time trial will be held on the infamous Mont Venoux (side Bédoin, we assume) .

Indeed, exactly the climlb where the Boss never won, leaving the victory to Marco Pantani in 2000 ( watch video of Pantani - Armstrong duel on the Ventoux ). Il Pirato now climbs in heaven, Lance somewhere in the neighbourhood of Aspen we guess.

According to the local newspaper La Provence, the time trial on the Ventoux will be held on the one but last day of the Tour, making it all the more interesting.

The Tour 2009 will start off in Monaco, then going to Barcelona and the Pyrenees.

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Dear Erwin,

We wanted you to be the first to know – it's true.

There are times in life when the game changes, when you look at the world differently and you know you must do what's right.

So, once again, Lance is changing the game. Today, it's still not about the bike. It's about people, their families and friends fighting the greatest fight of their lives – both in the U.S. and around the world. It's about straight and open talk about cancer, breaking the silence and eliminating the stigma and discrimination survivors experience. It's about a moral obligation to fight this disease no matter who or where it strikes with everything we've got.

The LIVESTRONG Army's commitment and dedication has started a movement to change cancer policy, research funding and access to care – a fight we must all commit to continue. We cannot stop now. We must increase our efforts and work to make cancer not only a national priority, but a global priority as well. Together, we can help inspire and empower the millions of people affected by cancer worldwide.

Now more than ever, we need you to join us. Whether you make a gift, join the LIVESTRONG Army or consider the presidential candidates' cancer plans before you vote, you will make an important impact on the future of cancer.

Read the official statement or watch a video message to the LIVESTRONG Army from Lance in his own words.

Thank you for all you do to support our efforts.

LIVESTRONG,



Doug Ulman
LAF President and CEO


Lance Armstrong Foundation :: P.O. Box 161150 :: Austin, TX 78716-1150

Well, Lance Armstrong's certainly not the first to make a comeback. Or better, to attempt to. Few are the ones that succeeded to get in the neighbourhood of their old champion level. So why would the boss get there?

To start with; there's only one who would have been able to stay far or less within his neighbourhood (Contador). Maybe even today? Lost chance for the grey ones, Menchov and, well, that Australian Lotto one, I already forgot his name. Secondly, it seems like he will be riding in the same team as the Spaniard which increases his chances. But personally, we hope he doesn't. An opportunity to proove he can win without Bruyneel, and we'd like to see them battle against each other in stead of riding the rest to home.

No, we like Lance, and we're no Americains (nor Russian or Australian, we admit). And we certainly look forward to the next Tour de France. If Armstrong succeeds in getting there in good shape, there surely will be much more excitement and the Tour might regain a lot of its attraction. And I am sure, many with me will support him. So, go Lance and Livestrong!

The Pas de Peyrol, or better, the Puy Mary, like it was called back in 1983; Ive never climbed it. But one day, I will, if it were only because it is the only climb my father ever climbed by bike. During a vacation in the Central Massif that was. Despite my age (14), I had already won the Tour de France six times at that time, including the polka dotted jersey, a jersey I considered even more important than the yellow one.

The Puy Mary was the first time I ever saw the Tour live in the mountains. On the way up to the top, we came across a Scottisch fan of Millar (still a ""he"" in those days) with his race bike at hand. My father drove him (the bike) to the top, where, one hour later, another Belgian cycling champ, Lucien Van Impe, was the first to pass that same top from the Mandailles side. In his jersey of Belgian champion. It was the 14th stage, from Aurillac to Issoire and the last Belgian Tour winner won the polka dotted jersey again, that year.

A couple of weeks later, I did the same. On lower levels. But Im still climbing...

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