Lance Armstrong eyes $2m tour earnings

Lance Armstrong eyes $2m tour earnings	26.09.2008
LANCE Armstrong is bringing his bicycle and his cause to Adelaide, but the cycling superstar is also expected to earn more than $2 million from his Tour Down Under showing. While the cyclist`s exact fee has not been revealed, it is believed to be part of the State Government`s $14.6 million pledge to the UCI ProTour Tour Down Under budget for the next four years. In New York yesterday, Armstrong, 37, said he was coming out of retirement because he had realised an athlete in or near their prime had more impact spreading a message than a retired athlete. "By racing the bicycle all over the world, beginning in Australia, ending in France, it`s the best way, the best way to get the word out," he said. It remains unclear whether the State Government has won the exclusive rights to the seven-time Tour de France champion`s comeback to cycling at next year`s Tour Down Under. Premier Mike Rann said yesterday that Armstrong`s decision to ride had led to a huge jump in the number of riders wanting to take part in the recreational riding section of the tour. He told Parliament that the registrations for the Mutual Community Challenge Tour had "skyrocketed overnight" and the Government was capping the number of participants at 5000. "At this time last year, we had 91 bookings for the challenge tour," he said. "Now they have reached nearly 2200." Share this article Digg this Post to del.icio.us Post to Newsvine Post to Facebook Add to kwoff RSS What is this? NEWS.com.au is not responsible for the content of external sites. Share stories with friends in a click. Get your favourite NEWS.com.au content on your social networking profile. MySpace widget Facebook application Today`s Top Picks Congress mulls bailout BUSH cannot seem to give away billions of dollars to help fix Wall St. Allegations: Drug twist in Broncos case Shooting: Police criticised over mass shooting New show: This time, farmer wants a husband Font size: +- Send this article:Print Email Have Your Say We welcome your comments on this story. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Please provide your full name. We also require a working email address - not for publication, but for verification. The location field is optional.Read our publication guidelines. Submit your feedback here: Full name: Email address: Location (optional): Your comments: (max 1200 characters) Remember my details (So you don`t have to retype your details each timeyou send feedback.) Email me if my comment is published Search for more stories on this topic on Newstext, our news archive service. Click here Most Popular Blogs More Most Popular 1. Authorities target mile-high hostie 2. Wife `put crushed glass` in man`s lunch 3. Girlfriend flicks Bronco as scandal deepens 4. Fire burns near Machu Picchu 5. Topless waitress `raped by teenager in car` 6. How Travis and DJ AM survived 7. Turnbull tells: I smoked dope and I regre... 8. Dad finds porn on son`s phone 9. Make ice cream from breast milk, says PETA 10. Bourbon-flavoured chips a whiskey business 1. I don’t want a bloke; is it still o... 2. McCain blinks 3. New Opposition 4. Accountability on Wall Street 5. Winners 6. Midweek meltdown 7. Land of Plenty guest post by Mark Davis 8. Week end talkback 9. Internet service in hotels? how crap it t... 10. The best looking woman with short hair Also in News Washington: Bones of US bailout agreed Hard hit: Households give up three years of gains Insight: Turnbull tells: I smoked dope and I regret it Battle won: `N`-word banned from sports ground Dismay: Bourbon-flavoured chips a whiskey business Panic: Fears rise over copycat school shootings Rocks: Kids try to derail train for internet glory On ya bike: Lance Armstrong eyes $2m tour earnings Video Watch this Video NOW! Week in review NEWS.com.au takes a look back at the stories that made the headlines this week. Latest videos Taken Out host`s dating tips A380 touches down in Sydney How to pour the perfect beer Discover what the future holds More Video Blogroll The Nerve Courtney Love wants a "non thieving", "non freaky" cleaner. Apply within. Ask Bossy:I don`t want a bloke but still want kids Splat!: Prada: great shoes for going barefoot Blogocracy: McCain suspension a stunt Jack Marx: Tale of found treasures Money Stuff:Pollies put on notice by grey power MacChat: When your Mac is virtually a PC Squanderlust: Spendaholic finishes her mission ] Advertisement Tools Receive our news feed What is RSS? Receive our email newsletter Send us your news photos Send us your story tips News on your mobile Help\| Contact Us\| Advertise with Us\| Job Opportunities\| Terms & Conditions\| Privacy Policy\| Accessibility\| Sitemap\| News Headlines from Our Partners Copyright 2008 News Limited. All times AEST (GMT +10).

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NRL star Greg Bird accused of glassing girlfriend
She wants AVO against him dropped
Says she stands by him "100 per cent"

KATIE Milligan, the injured girlfriend of disgraced rugby league star Greg Bird, says she intends to withdraw an Apprehended Violence Order put in place by police for her protection.

The American law student was allegedly glassed by Bird in an argument between the two in their beachfront apartment in Cronulla, south Sydney, in August.

Lawyers for Ms Milligan, 24, told Downing Centre Local Court today they would lodge an application to revoke the AVO when Bird faces court next on October 9.

Ms Milligan entered the court this morning for her first encounter with a court over the whole affair, since being released from hospital.

Bird, also 24, has pleaded not guilty to maliciously inflicting grievous bodily harm on Milligan, who underwent emergency surgery to her left eye after the attack.

She has been left with scars on her upper eyelid and cheek.

Outside court, Ms Milligan said she still "very much" stood by Bird.

"I definitely don`t want the AVO," she said.

With her lawyer beside her, she declined to answer if she planned to move back in with Bird, but she did confirm they had spoken several times since the incident.