[Heidi]

More signing news from cyclinews

USA's Floyd Landis, 32, will make his return to professional cycling after a two-year suspension with the team currently sponsored by Health Net-Maxxis, under a new title sponsor for 2009, sources confirmed with Cyclingnews. The team, run by Momentum Sports Group, has also re-signed many of its current riders, including two-time NRC champion Rory Sutherland, current USA cyclo-cross champion Tim Johnson and Karl Menzies.

"I cannot confirm or deny it," said Momentum's sponsorship director, Thierry Attias, regarding Landis' signing. However numerous other sources familiar with the team confirmed that the agreement is in place, with the new title sponsor's agreement forthcoming. Sources have said the new sponsor is from the health care industry. This aligns with current speculation that Smith & Nephew, makers of Landis' artificial hip and sponsor of his mountain bike endurance racing, is a possible title sponsor.

Landis did not return multiple requests for confirmation. Sutherland and Johnson did confirm they have signed contracts with Momentum. "I have re-signed a contract with Momentum for the next two years," Sutherland told Cyclingnews. "I have been guaranteed there is title sponsor money there. I don't know who the title sponsor is but it's not like it's a big myth, saying there is money when there isn't. I trust Thierry on that."

Landis is currently serving a two-year suspension for a positive test of exogenous testosterone from stage 17 of the 2006 Tour de France. Landis went on to win the overall, but was stripped of that title after his appeal of the US Anti-Doping Agency's suspension was denied by the American Arbitration Association. The ASO and UCI named runner-up Oscar Pereiro as the official 2006 Tour winner soon after.

Landis lost his final appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport CAS) in June, but the CAS did uphold that his suspension should run from when he officially stated his voluntary non-compete status – meaning that Landis will be free to race again as of January 30, 2009.

Rumours circulated early in 2008 that Rock Racing owner Michael Ball was interested in Landis, either as a racer or team director. Landis confirmed he was "advising" the younger riders and was seen with the team.

 

[Heidi]

Almost all the players are back: Armstrong, Landis, Hamilton...Basso? WHERE IS THE JAN?

 

[Westy]

Almost all the players are back: Armstrong, Landis, Hamilton...Basso? WHERE IS THE JAN?

Eating knockwurst and making Kloden fetch him beers.

 

[Heidi]

Eating knockwurst and making Kloden fetch him beers.

While they take E and dance at raves.

 

[ire]

We all know Jan can't come back....his supplier was busted. Finding a new supplier can be time consuming, and hard

 

[maddog17]

Eating knockwurst and making Kloden fetch him beers.

LMAO!!!

i really would have thought Ball would have snagged him right up for Rock Racing. but i'm sure the money was there from the new sponser for HealthNet/Maxxis and Landis. i just hope Johnson doesnt listen to Landis's crap and ruin his career. from what i've heard of the guy, he's a good guy. no sense letting Landis screw him up.

 

[golgiaparatus]

While they are doing taking the E and dance at the ravings.

Fixed

 

[golgiaparatus]

L
I just hope Johnson doesnt listen to Landis's crap and ruin his career. from what i've heard of the guy, he's a good guy. no sense letting Landis screw him up.

 

[ire]

i just hope Johnson doesnt listen to Landis's crap and ruin his career. from what i've heard of the guy, he's a good guy. no sense letting Landis screw him up.

Next you're going to tell me Dick Pound is a nice guy

 

[maddog17]

i'm only going on what i've read on a local clubs site

 

[golgiaparatus]

Next you're going to tell me Dick Pound is a nice guy

LOL! Dick Pound's name suits him so well.

 

[moff_quigley]

The Jan is being eating the knockwurst and being making Kloden fetch him beers while sexing the sexy bike pumps.

Fixed.

 

[JRogers]

Almost all the players are back: Armstrong, Landis, Hamilton...Basso? WHERE IS THE JAN?

Apparently, he's chillin. From Cyclingnews:


No return for Ullrich
Lance Armstrong's biggest rival, Jan Ullrich, will not follow the American's comeback comeback to pro cycling. "At the moment I can't imagine that."

In an interview with the German tabloid Bild, when asked about Lance Armstrong's return to the peloton, Ullrich said with a laugh, "If he starts, then I ought to start again, too. But I haven't thought about that. You should never say never, though."

He added, "We have different history. He left with a win, I left with a disappointment. That still hurts. I wish him lots of luck."

Ullrich said that he would return to the Tour de France only to watch his son Max (one year old) ride. "But seriously, I would never force him into the sport. He must choose his own way. I have other plans. Plus I don't miss it. I am happy with my life."