Lance hopes to race

PARIS – Lance Armstrong is hoping for cycling’s ruling body the UCI to show understanding ahead of his bid to make his comeback to the sport at the Tour Down Under in January.

The UCI (International Cycling Union) said last week that strict anti-doping rules regarding retired or inactive riders making their comeback would be applied to the seven-time Tour de France winner. If the UCI sticks to its guns, the Texan would be ruled out of the Tour Down Under on January 20-25 because he did not officially register with the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) until August 1.UCI anti-doping rule 77 states: “A rider who has given notice of retirement from cycling to the UCI may not resume competing at international level unless he notifies the UCI at least 6 months in advance before he expects to return to international competition and is available for unannounced out of competition testing at any time during the period before actual return to competition.”Armstrong, speaking in a conference call late Monday, said he hoped UCI chief Pat McQuaid would show common sense in his bid to use the Australian race as part of his plan to win an eighth yellow jersey next July.But the 37-year-old said if this wasn’t the case, he would continue with other races and training camps, even hinting that a maiden participation in the Giro d’Italia in May was possible.The rule is part of the governing body’s ‘biological passport’ programme, the latest weapon in their bid to rid the sport of drugs cheats.Armstrong said he is fully complying with the rules and added that anti-doping controllers have already tested him in late August in his Austin, Texas home.”USADA knows that I am sitting here right now.I am constantly willing to be available for tests.If they come once, if they come a 100 times, great,” said the American.Last week Armstrong announced he had joined the Astana team of his former manager Johan Bruyneel.Nampa-AFPIf the UCI sticks to its guns, the Texan would be ruled out of the Tour Down Under on January 20-25 because he did not officially register with the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) until August 1.UCI anti-doping rule 77 states: “A rider who has given notice of retirement from cycling to the UCI may not resume competing at international level unless he notifies the UCI at least 6 months in advance before he expects to return to international competition and is available for unannounced out of competition testing at any time during the period before actual return to competition.”Armstrong, speaking in a conference call late Monday, said he hoped UCI chief Pat McQuaid would show common sense in his bid to use the Australian race as part of his plan to win an eighth yellow jersey next July.But the 37-year-old said if this wasn’t the case, he would continue with other races and training camps, even hinting that a maiden participation in the Giro d’Italia in May was possible.The rule is part of the governing body’s ‘biological passport’ programme, the latest weapon in their bid to rid the sport of drugs cheats.Armstrong said he is fully complying with the rules and added that anti-doping controllers have already tested him in late August in his Austin, Texas home.”USADA knows that I am sitting here right now.I am constantly willing to be available for tests.If they come once, if they come a 100 times, great,” said the American.Last week Armstrong announced he had joined the Astana team of his former manager Johan Bruyneel.Nampa-AFP