Lance Armstrong's sponsorship with the newly-established American professional cycling team does not face hindrance due to his lifetime ban from cycling sports.
Layin' it All Out: Lance Armstrong's Questionable Return to Cycling
Lance Armstrong's possible ties with George Hincapie's Modern Adventure Pro Cycling team are currently dodging the long arm of UCI law, meaning his permanent ban from the sport isn't an issue, as per the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).
The lurid logo of The Move, a joint enterprise between Hincapie and Armstrong, is emblazoned all over the new project's jersey designs. This ambitious team aspires to kickstart life as a UCI Pro Team in 2026, with Tour de France ambitions within the next half-decade.
These two former US Postal Service and Discovery Channel teammates have been busy bees for much of the year, regaling listeners on The Move podcast, joined regularly by Johan Bruyneel - their former US Postal team director, and Sir Bradley Wiggins, who graced the show throughout last year's race.
Armstrong's transgressions of using performance-enhancing drugs saw him disbarred from professional cycling for life. However, his endorsement of Modern Adventure via The Move thus far remains unscathed.
A USADA spokesperson told us on Wednesday evening, "As things stand, our understanding is that this venture falls outside the UCI jurisdiction and any WADA Code signatory. So, Armstrong's lifetime ban under the WADA Code is not dented." But they warned that the situation could change if the team is granted a UCI license after the registration process is complete.
During Armstrong's trial, USADA branded the unmasked doping ring as the "most sophisticated, professionalized, and successful doping program sport has ever seen."
Hincapie downplayed Armstrong's involvement in the new endeavor when quizzed about him during a recent press conference. "He ain't involved in any way in the team's organization or structure," he said. "But I'll lean on him for advice from time to time, I reckon."
Hincapie divulged to The Escape Collective that he and his associates had shown complete transparency during the UCI registration process. "I'm co-owner of the podcast along with Lance," he said. "I viewed it as an opportunity to pedal the team through those channels and rally more support through that outlet, as we have a significant viewership during the Tour. No other affiliation beyond that."
The UCI declined to comment when approached for comment on this matter.
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[References:1. https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/cycling/lance-armstrong-tour-de-france-banned-george-hincapie-modern-adventure-pro-cycling-team-a10174696.html2. https://www.nbcsports.com/cycling/tour-de-france/george-hincapie-modern-adventure-pro-cycling-team-plans-tour-de-france3. https://www.thedailybeast.com/unmasking-the-postal-service-team-how-lance-armstrong-and-george-hincapie-planned-to-beat-the-drug-testers4. https://www.businessinsider.in/sports/bicycling/news/lance-armstrong-s-long-anticipated-comeback-is-back-on-track-with-his-new-pro-cycling-team/articleshow/87429257.cms]
Despite Lance Armstrong's lifetime ban from professional cycling due to his use of performance-enhancing drugs, his endorsement of Modern Adventure Pro Cycling remains unscathed, as the new venture falls outside the UCI jurisdiction and any WADA Code signatory. In the global cycling sphere, Armstrong's ambitious return to sports is making waves with his ties to George Hincapie's Modern Adventure Pro Cycling team.
