Lance Armstrong has made a statement about his desire to win an eighth Tour de France.
Armstrong’s Team RadioShack today released his racing schedule that includes a major attack on the European Classics in more than a decade as he prepares for the Tour de France start on the cobblestones roads of Rotterdam, Holland in July.
Sports director Johan Bruyneel said Lance Armstrong is a definite starter for the Milan-San Remo, Tour of Flanders, Amstel Gold Race and the time-honoured Liege-Bastogne-Liege.
The lean, lanky Texan proved at the Santos Tour Down Under that ended with a street race in Adelaide on Sunday, he remains totally focused on his major goal, which is to stand on the top rung of the podium in Paris in late July.
Armstrong is not a complete stranger to the Classics having competed in them prior to him being struck down with cancer in 1996.
Twice he finished second at Liege-Bastogne-Liege before becoming the first American to win Fleche Wallone.
But since returning to the sport a second time in 1998, Armstrong largely opted not to race the Spring Classics as his focus turned to the Tour de France.
He did manage a second place finish in the Dutch classic Amstel Gold Race in 1999 and again in 2001.
Lance Armstrong makes his European racing debut at the Tour of Murcia from March 3-7.
He’ll also compete at the International Criterium in Corsica before heading to Milan-San Remo on March 20.
Just like the crowds that flocked to South Australia last week for the Santos Tour, his appearance at the Tour of Flanders in early April which gives him an early season opportunity to race on cobblestones ahead of this year’s Tour.
Then follows his return to the Amstel Gold and then Liege before he and RadioShack return to the United States to contest the Tour of California.
As for Armstrong’s performances over the week-long Santos Tour in South Australia, Team SKY sporting director Dave Brailsford, described the seven-time tour winner as the “benchmark” and warned rivals it would be a mistake to discount his chances.
“Lance has definitely got it in him for another Tour de France and being right up there,” Brailsford said.
“Whether he can win it or not, time will tell. He’s in with a chance.”
Source: theaustralian.com.au
