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is likely to be Armstrong's choice when he returns.

Armstrong is the 800-pound gorilla the sport needs. A perfectly clean Armstrong, coming back after three years to win the Tour, would be a phenomenal storyline.

The Reasons
So why return? Why would Armstrong wish to punish himself and endure the torture of the Tour yet again?

While there are multiple reasons, the largest one has to do with the fact that Armstrong wants to prove himself as a clean rider. He has promised unprecedented access to his training routine and has a video crew that document every step of his comeback.

Also with more doping controls than ever being placed on riders, it will provide even more confirmation that he is a clean competitor, he says.

Further, as a cancer survivor, Armstrong wishes to place an emphasis on that cause. He has been out of the limelight for a few years and his image has become somewhat tarnished with lingering allegations about doping and his reputation as a serial dater. After all, your level of influence and ability to raise money only goes so far when your most recent claims to fame are dating Ashley Olson and Kate Hudson.

Coming back twice in a career, and winning the Tour de France in each comeback, would certainly put Armstrong's name, and his cause, back into the spotlight.

Learn more about this author, Kenneth Black.
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