Armstrong confirms Tour de France comeback
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Armstrong's comeback to cycling will kick off at the Tour Down Under. (Getty Images: Robert Laberge)
Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong has confirmed he will return to the prestigious cycling race next year.
Armstrong won seven consecutive Tour titles until his retirement in 2005.
He announced he was returning to the sport three months ago to raise the profile of cancer.
Armstrong's first race on his return will be the Tour Down Under in Adelaide in January.
Armstrong will also attempt to emulate the feat of Irishman Stephen Roche in trying for the Tour de France/Tour of Italy double.
The 37-year-old Texan had been thought to be solely a contender for the Tour of Italy but has rescinded on that idea.
"Lance Armstrong announces his participation in the 2009 Tour de France," announced his Astana team on its website.
"I have a lot of respect for this event and I am optimistic in the new direction that the Tour de France is taking."
ABC/AFP
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