ARONA, Spain: Lance Armstrong has indicated he could race for a full two years after launching his comeback from retirement with a bid for an eighth Tour de France crown.

The seven-time yellow jersey champion, who also reiterated his innocence in the face of drugs allegations over the years, added that he was happy to finish way down the standings of the world's biggest race if it meant helping promote his global fight against cancer.

Armstrong will be only two months shy of his 38th birthday when he tackles the 2009 Tour de France, just over a month after he competes in the Giro d'Italia for the first time.

The Texan, who famously battled cancer to win the first of his seven Tours in 1999, says that despite suffering pain in his lower back, he is in great shape.

"Being 37 feels surprisingly good. I almost feel stronger than when I was 27. Except for the back," Armstrong said in a teleconference from Tenerife in Spain where he is training with his Astana team.

Asked whether his comeback would end next year, the American said he was still unsure but indicated "it could be one or two years".

"I don't know. We'll just have to see. That's why I wanted to start racing early, at the Tour Down Under (in January)."

He admitted his decision to return to top level competition was motivated by two things: his passion for bike racing, and his determination to take the fight against cancer truly global.

"I have a passion for bike racing and training and I've rediscovered that passion. Secondly, I feel that I can give impetus to the fight against cancer by racing.

"My (Livestrong) foundation is in negotiations with 20 countries - some (of which) we'll race in, some we won't. The issue is not solved by me racing a bike. You also have to have governments taking action.

"If we can convince them to invest in health care, just as they invest in other infrastructures, then that will be a positive step.

"No doubt being on the bike, racing competitively brings attention to the issue rather than me sitting at home racing marathons. I still feel I can be strong on the bike."

But when asked whether he would be able to win the Tour de France again, Armstrong said: "I don't know. I knew how to win it before. It's been too long out of competition and testing myself against the others."

AFP

(China Daily 12/06/2008 page12)