Will Lance get 7???

[Sympleesmshn]

I heard today that he will go for a 7th, do you think he can win it?

[ET Awful]

1. I thought he'd decided not to.

I think he can win it. The man is like a frickin' machine. The only thing that would stop him from winning is if he took a year off from training and let himself go to hell.

[ProfessorGAC]

2. He Announced Yesterday In Paris, He's Competing

Heard it on ESPN.
The Professor

[LiberalinNC]

4. Actually, he announced it last week on Oprah!

It would be amazing for him to win again!!!

[trotsky]

3. The more important question:

Can anyone beat him?

[bigwillq]

5. I say Lance wins again!

:bounce:

[HuckleB]

6. Probably.

It will all come down to timing his peak performance for the Tour, something he has been THE master at the past six years. He's varying his competitive schedule a bit this time around, though, so it may be a bit more sketchy. But maybe that's what's keeping him going: Trying to do it while doing a few more things than he's done in the past.

[tx_dem41]

7. I believe that this will be the year that the rumors catch up with him.

I used to be a big fan. Now, I think I believe the rumors.

[bigwillq]

8. What rumors?

That he's on steroids?

[tx_dem41]

9. Not steroids. Blood doping. The rumors have been out there in the..

cycling world for about 4-5 years now. There is some compelling circumstantial evidence that has been collected by European reporters.

[Poiuyt]

14. Didn't Tyler hamilton get caught blood doping this past year?

I believe they can catch certain kinds of blood doping but not others. If you reinject your own blood, they can't catch it. Now they are looking at the way your EPO decreases when you reinject your own blood back into your body. (or something like that)

[tx_dem41]

16. Yes he did. Lance's former teammate.

From what I have read, there must be a way to detect it, because in the past riders have used a masking agent.

[HuckleB]

17. There's a new method of testing.

And it appears to be questionable in validity. Physicians around the world seem to be arguing both sides vehemently.

Hamilton goes to court next week to challenge his suspension. Should be interesting.

[tx_dem41]

18. If he's guilty, I hope they throw the book at him, AND strip him of the

Gold medal. I guess we will wait and see.

[HuckleB]

19. That's already been decided.

The Russians haven't given up, but it looks like he'll keep the Gold regardless. Otherwise, he's received all the punishment he'll ever get. All this hearing is about is the possibility of overturning the decision and the punishment (two year ban from cycling, which does effectively end his career).

This does put Armstrong in an odd position, though. He's been fully supportive of Hamilton, thus far. Yet, one of his main Discovery Boys, Ekimov, is the guy fighting to take that Gold away from Hamilton.

Speaking of...

Ekimov is an inspiration for all of us oldsters. There he is, still among the best in the peleton at 39 years of age.

[tx_dem41]

20. Thanks....you're following this closer than I am, and that's great. n/t

[Awsi Dooger]

10. He's pushing the optimum age for a cyclist

The previous 5-time winners flopped at the age Lance was last year. So one more year beyond would be amazing.

Of course, speed tends to diminish before stamina and strength. Lance wins the Tour via the mountain stages, not as much the flats or even the time trials anymore. If he dominates the mountains again, nobody beats him.

[HuckleB]

11. They all raced much more often, however, beating their bodies up...

in ways that Armstrong has not. His sole focus on the Tour de France may have allowed him to extend his career.

[Awsi Dooger]

13. Correct, and that's what makes him the perfect cyclist for Americans

We have heard of the Tour and little/nothing else. If Armstrong raced and dominated the same type of tortuous schedule as a Indurain or especially a Merckx, no one here would know or care. July is everything.

[benny05]

12. Lance will Live Strong

and do his best!

[WindRavenX]

15. heck yes he will

Lance is a monster.
I will be supporting him every step of the way.

[Awsi Dooger]

21. Lance is a 5/13 favorite to win, in Las Vegas

Those are actually the man-to-man odds. The Bellagio has Armstrong at -3.00 to win and +2.20 he does not win. Rounding it out (eliminating the outrageous 80 cent juice), that means Armstrong is roughly bet 13 to win 5 he will win, and 5 to win 13 he does not win.

If you place it at the casino, it's bet 3 to win 1 on Lance to win, and 1 to win 2.20 he won't win.