Lance - In talks to buy the Tour of France!!!

ROK ON

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123811112300753043.html

Interesting article in Wall St Journal.

Caroline_ie

Ah FFS!!!

The French will never let that happen! We have pride you know!!!!

ROK ON

In the past the French Govt has stepped in to prevent the takeover of 'strategic' French assets by foeign investors. The definintion of strategic is loose. For example, a few years back the Govt decided that Danone was 'strategic'.

I cant see it happening, but it gives an insight into the guy and his backers that they think its possible.

Raam

ROK ON wrote: »

In the past the French Govt has stepped in to prevent the takeover of 'strategic' French assets by foeign investors. The definintion of strategic is loose. For example, a few years back the Govt decided that Danone was 'strategic'.

I cant see it happening, but it gives an insight into the guy and his backers that they think its possible.

mmm, Danone.

Eoin D

"It's my Tour de France, I have to win!"

Rented Mule

I think this would be a great waste of money on Lance's behalf, when you consider that he has owned this race for years.

Raam

Daddy I want a Tour De France NOW!

blorg

In fairness, this makes a lot of sense, it could only raise the profile of the Tour.

Raam

blorg wrote: »

In fairness, this makes a lot of sense, it could only raise the profile of the Tour.

True, I barely heard of it until I saw this thread.

kenmc

If you own the tour you get to make your own rules, right? If he owns it there'll be no drug users caught on the tour ever again.

Chips Lovell

A terrible, terrible idea, but unlikely to come off.

Others were also looking. In July 2007, Messrs. Armstrong and Stapleton entertained another prospective plan to reorganize cycling from Wouter Vandenhaute, a Belgian television executive and former sportscaster, who has a plan he calls the "World Tour." At the Hôtel de Crillon in Paris, Mr. Vandenhaute proposed a series of races with the Tour de France as the de facto Super Bowl of the season.

Super Bowl of cycling? Dear god, no.

Raam

el tonto wrote: »

Super Bowl of cycling? Dear god, no.

The roads would be choc-a-block with those fanboys from the TOC, more so.

Chips Lovell

Raam wrote: »

The roads would be choc-a-block with those fanboys from the TOC, more so.

And I'm just imagining all of those Sky Sports style graphics and commentary.

Raam

el tonto wrote: »

And I'm just imagining all of those Sky Sports style graphics and commentary.

Big attack from Boonen from way downtown!

Chips Lovell

Raam wrote: »

Big attack from Boonen from way downtown!

"Mark Cavendish is a good rider Jim, but he's never won the Tour de France and that has got to be a mark in his copybook".

Raam

"Now we are seeing the Aussie, Robbie McEwan weaving all over the ascent of the Mount Ventoux in an attempt to increase his yardage for the day. This will surely set him up for the coveted 'most distance covered' prize"

Ghost Rider

Tour de Lance, anyone?

Actually, why stop there? Anyone for...

La République de Lance?

The Lench Revolution?

Lench kissing?

lukester

"The Astana offence sure are on fire today, I'd love a look at their playbook. Coach Bruyneel is thinking waaay outside the box."

Jaysus, what a nightmare. Can't see it happening though. French pride will see to that, thankfully.

Blanchguy

Can I be the one to tell Paul Kimmage?

Chips Lovell

Lol at The Onion:

Junior

Lance Twitter wrote:

Love the TdF but not looking to buy it plus it's not for sale. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123811112300753043.html
However, a unified sport and strong rider's association is awfully appealing a la F1, professional tennis, and the NFL.

Interesting ..

Esroh

So as we approach the base of the Alpe on day 20 of Tour de France 2017 the Commentators announce we going for a ad break of 20 min as Astana have called a timeout to let 45yld Lance Armstrong rejoin the peloton for the ascent:D

kincsem

Its a right good idea. He could move it to Texas and call it "The World Series of Cycling featuring the Tour de France" with a stage in French Canada just to keep the French happy.

with breaks ever ten minutes for "and now a word from our sponsors". You would have to reduce the stages to 50km to fit in the ads.

IM0

I think you'll find he practically does own it!...7 straight victories :pac: