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Comebacks of 2009: first Lance, now Schumacher

29th July, 2009
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29th July, 2009
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News that seven-time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher will substitute for injured Ferrari driver Felipe Massa in next month’s European Grand Prix at Valencia, is the desperately needed injection of excitement the sport has craved after months of confusion over its relevance in world sport and, indeed, its very future post 2009.

Only a day after BMW announced its withdrawal from Formula One at season’s end, and with Toyota still yet to confirm its place on the starting grid from 2010, Schumacher’s return finally provides a point of interest for fans of the on-track action, rather than the backroom shenanigans that have dominated F1 coverage so far this year.

It also begs the question, why make this a one off?

Comparisons with Lance Armstrong’s return to competitive cycling this year, culminating in a superb, podium finish in the recent Tour de France, are apt.

Both are seven-time winners of the ultimate in their sport – the driver’s championship in F1 and Tour de France in cycling. Both have been in retirement for almost four years, yet remain huge names in their respective sports.

Armstrong has already confirmed that his time away only strengthened his dedication to cycling supremacy, despite publicly declaring 2009 was only an opportunity to return to the Tour in order to promote his cancer charity, Livestrong.

Twelve months from now, however, Armstrong will return with his own professional outfit, Team Radio Shack, and rest assured, Lance will be out to knock off new nemesis and now two-time winner, Alberto Contador.

After several years of drug scandals, which included the farcical aftermath to the 2006 Tour de France when Floyd Landis was stripped of his title, Armstrong’s return breathed life into this year’s Tour in what was an otherwise relatively predictable outcome.

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A refreshed Michael Schumacher, opting to return for a full 2010 season, could provide similar results for the sport.

As it stands, Schumacher, at age 40, will deservedly rack up his 250th F1 start next month after being stranded on 249 at the time of his retirement.

Across all sports, fans debate the merits of one champion against another and compare players of the current era against those of the past.

Just who would win if Tyson had fought Ali? Would Shane Warne really be able to dominate again if he was to return at 40? Tony Lockett or Gordon Coventry as greatest AFL full forward?

(For what it’s worth, I would be putting the house and all my worldly possessions on Ali toying with and finishing off Iron Mike within four rounds. Yes, Warney could still bamboozle even the best. And as a Pies fan, I have to give it to Coventry).

To see a dream match race between Schumacher and the current crop of driving superstars is deserving of more than one race.

Australia’s Mark Webber and current driver’s championship leader Jensen Button have both taken on Schumacher in the past, yet only now do they both find themselves in cars genuinely capable of being competitive.

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Reigning champion Lewis Hamilton and young gun Sebastian Vettel, nicknamed ‘Baby Shumi,’ both began their F1 careers post Schumacher’s retirement and must be jumping out of their skin at the opportunity to take on their childhood hero.

This year will have given sport lovers a rare opportunity to see two superstars return to take on the new breed.

Here’s hoping that good fortune can hold out to see both Armstrong and Schumacher succeed in 2010.

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