EON

New York -Seven time Tour De France winner Lance Armstrong has survived cancer and doping allegations, but can he survive retirement?

The cycling world has been a buzz with rumors that Lance Armstrong will return to elite cycling competitions. The U.S. Anti Doping Agency (USADA) confirmed that Armstrong is part of its out-of-competition testing pool; he began early in August. This means Armstrong will be eligible to compete in elite competitions beginning Feb. 1, 2009.

However, Armstrong will be 37 on Sept 18. Is Armstrong’s physically fit enough to compete? According to the president of the cycling international body, Pat McQuaid , Armstrong’s fitness allows him to return if he wants to. McQuaid says, “He’s been running marathons and doing all sorts of other stuff. He hasn’t really let himself go in any way.”

Velonews.com reported that Armstrong would return to team Astana which his former team director Johan Bruyneel is coaching. However, Astana’s press officer, Philippe Maertens, says, “Team Astana has no plans with him [Armstrong].” Yet Johan Bruyneel has said “If it would be true that Armstrong wants to come back it would be stupid for us to say no, but it’s not the case.”

With no comments coming from Armstrong or his manager, there have been no official denials or confirmations. Since Armstrong has a team to train with, he’s physically fit, and he is taking the proper steps to return to competition, it is all just conjecture as to whether Armstrong can survive his retirement.