Why would he want to do it again?
The question was raised anew Monday on the Internet following an unattributed story by VeloNews that Armstrong will come out of retirement and compete in the 2009 Tour and four other races with Team Astana.
However, Astana team director Johan Bruyneel, who was with Armstrong for all seven Tour wins from 1999-2005, told CyclingNews.com that he was unaware of any Armstrong comeback.
"I don't know where the rumors come from," the website quoted him as saying.
Astana team press officer Philippe Maertens told the Associated Press: "He is not part of our team. Team Astana has no plans with him."
"As far as I know, Lance Armstrong doesn't have plans to do road cycling. But that's a question you have to ask Armstrong," Maertens added on Tuesday.
The new issue of Men's Journal— with Armstrong on the cover — tells the story of Armstrong happy in retirement: "I'm glad I'm not cycling anymore," Armstrong is quoted as saying. "It was fun while it lasted, and I liked it, but I'm so focused on other things now that I never think about it."
The story, titled "Citizen Lance," focuses on Armstrong's non-cycling activities — including a possible run for public office.
"When I retired, I promised myself that every day I would drink good wine, get a massage, take a nap, and ride my bike for an hour or two," Armstrong says.
"I went 20 years living like a monk. I didn't drink or eat bad food, and now when someone opens a bottle of wine or pours me a cold beer, I drink it every time. I never, ever say no."
