Be prepared, Adelaide. The Lance Armstrong machine is coming to your city in the not-so-distant future.
Armstrong receive permission Wednesday to compete in the Tour Down Under after cycling’s international governing body announced it has decided not to adhere to a strict rule that would prevent the rider’s hopeful return next January.
Lance Armstrong
Armstrong, the seven-time Tour de France winner, recently announced his intention to return after more than a three-year absence. The weeklong race begins Jan. 18 in Adelaide.
Under the guidelines of the Union Cycliste International (UCI), a retired rider may only return to competition by informing UCI six months in advance, in order to be available for out-of-competition dope testing.
Despite the race coming four months after the American’s decision to return, the UCI has dropped the requirement.
“The aim of Article 77 … can be better achieved through careful application of the current methods of the anti-doping programme than by the strict application of a time period,” UCI said in a statement.
“The UCI can confirm Lance Armstrong has and will be the subject of very strict monitoring throughout the period running up to his return to the peloton.”
Armstrong, 37, will ride in the event with Astana, the Kazakhstan-backed team directed by Johan Bruyneel. The former pro also directed Armstrong during his Tour de France titles.
