Sports briefs for June 23, 2005

Thursday, June 23, 2005 | 9:23 a.m.

Armstrong team mostly intact

Lance Armstrong will have most of last year's team back when he goes for his seventh consecutive Tour de France victory.

Armstrong's Discovery Channel team features six returning cyclists, including American George Hincapie, and two new ones, Italy's Paolo Savoldelli and Ukrainian Yaroslav Popovych, it was announced Wednesday.

Armstrong, 33, said he will retire after this year's Tour, which starts July 2.

"I think we have fielded our strongest team ever with this formation," said Armstrong, who is in Spain training for the race. "I'm more motivated than ever."

Lemieux: Deal helps small-market teams

The fact that Pittsburgh Penguins owner/player Mario Lemieux has planned sessions in Southern California with famed trainer T.R. Goodman in July and August adds more credibility to a leaguewide presumption that a collective bargaining agreement will be announced before July 1. Lemieux, who turns 40 in October, said he is "absolutely" committed to playing next season.

"I'm feeling great," said Lemieux, noting that he isn't having any problems with his hip or back. "I think this year off will help me in some ways, not only myself, but a lot of guys in the NHL."

Although Lemieux certainly didn't want to see a lockout, he believes fans will come back because a new deal could mean a new wave of optimism for all teams, particularly in smaller markets. He doesn't know the proposed deal's precise details, but it's being openly talked about around the NHL that there will be a link between revenue and salaries, and that a salary cap would start in the $36 million-$38 million range.

"You can get out of balance with 30 teams and now everyone will have a pretty decent chance to win the Cup if they run their business properly," he said. "You won't see the New York Rangers at $80 million and the Penguins at $20 million. It's going to be a lot closer. It will give teams hope at the beginning of the season."

Michelin told to refund fans after Grand Prix

The president of Formula One's governing body thinks Michelin should compensate fans who bought tickets for the United States Grand Prix fiasco.

"My personal view is that Michelin should offer to compensate the fans on a fair basis," Max Mosley said Wednesday in a FIA statement. "Anyone who had a ticket this year would be entitled to the same ticket free of charge next year."

FIA has already accused the seven teams using Michelin tires of damaging the sport's image by pulling out of the June 19 grand prix at Indianapolis.

Hmiel, son of longtime crew chief and team official Steve Hmiel, was suspended through 2006 on Wednesday and faces an evaluation after next season before he's allowed to return to racing.

He was first suspended in September 2003 after failing a substance abuse test. Hmiel completed a prescribed rehabilitation program and was reinstated for NASCAR competition in February 2004.

Manchester United no longer public

Manchester United was taken off the London Stock Exchange, ending a 14-year stint as a publicly traded company.

The expected move follows the recent takeover of the Premier League team by Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner Malcolm Glazer.

Glazer became majority shareholder of Manchester United on May 16 in a $1.47 billion buyout of the world's richest soccer club.-- Sun wire services