Lance Armstrong is unlikely to participate in the World Championships in 2010, which will be held in Melbourne, Australia. The 1993 World Champion would like to fit it in his schedule but indicated the calendar changes and his focus on the Tour de France make a Worlds appearance difficult.
Armstrong likes the thought in general. "The worlds are an interesting idea. Sitting here in December, it's easy to say yes," he told Australian paper The Age. But later in the season the outlook may change. "You get through the Tour de France and you realize you have two more months and you have to go to Australia, where the course isn't necessarily suited for you; to go to Melbourne would be super cool, but I have to guess I won't be there," Armstrong said.
Armstrong said the calendar shuffle in the 1990's didn't help matters. "Back in the old days, the Worlds used to be a month after the Tour. When they moved it back to October I think it changed its importance on the international calendar."
The organizers under general manager Michael Palmer said they didn't expect the Texan to be in Melbourne. "At best it was always 50-50 in our mind that he may not ride." But Palmer hasn't given up all hope. "It still remains to be seen. We're not closing the door and we've been talking on and off to his management. We'd certainly be keen to make sure he was here if we could, but obviously from a competitive perspective that's totally his decision."
Armstrong won the 1993 World Championships in torrential rain in Oslo, Norway. In only his second year in Europe he beat five-time Tour de France winner Miguel Indurain and Olaf Ludwig to the line with a bold solo move.