NorCal Cycling News – Cycling and Racing in Northern California

In a press conference that most journalists thought was to announce funding for a new Livestrong office in Sacramento Lance Armstrong announced that he would start the Tour of California with the Radio Shack team.  ”I don’t really see it as a comback,” Armstrong told a surprised group of reporters in the Sacramento Hilton “It’s just one race, and I think everybody including RadioShack, Livestrong, the State of California, and the Amgen Tour of California, will benefit from a higher profile presence that a former Tour winner can bring.”

When asked about the recent investigation into his past Armstrong referred reporters to his clean record and lack of any material evidence or charges to be brought despite a years worth of investigation.  ”To be frank I don’t think it is a great use of taxpayer money, but I’m from Texas, and in Texas we don’t believe in high taxes like the some government leaders I could mention.”

Armstrong went onto say he will be relocating to Tahoe for a few weeks to pre-ride the early TOC stages and get in a few training races.  ”I haven’t lost all my fitness from the winter, so I’m going to do some local races in California like the Calaveras TT and the Turlock Road Race to get a little race simulation in. I’m also going to pay a few domestic teams to jump into the races so I can simulate the needed speed.”