Paris - Seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong has decided to race in next year's edition of the race, the web site of his Astana team said late Monday. The 37-year-old Armstrong retired from racing on July 24, 2005, after winning his last Tour championship, but said in September of this year that he would return to competitive cycling for the 2009 season to publicize the fight against cancer.
Armstrong recovered from a severe case of testicular cancer and has used his cycling success to promote the cause.
However, his participation in the 2009 Tour de France was uncertain, in part because he feared being attacked by French spectators during the race.
"There are some aggressive, angry emotions [in France]. If you believe what you read my personal safety could be in jeopardy," Armstrong told the British daily The Guardian last month.
Asked whether he feared he might be attacked on the 2009 Tour, Armstrong said, "There are directors of French teams that have encouraged people to take to the streets.... It's very emotional and tense."
Many in France resent the Texas native because they believe that he won his record seven straight Tour championships by using banned substances.
His cool and reserved manner, as well as his use of bodyguards, also alienated many Tour fans during his championship reign.
In addition to Armstrong, the 2007 Tour winner, Alberto Contador of Spain, will also race in the Tour for the Astana team, and will likely be favoured to win.
It remains to be seen if Armstrong can accept riding in a support role for Contador, if the Spaniard proves the stronger rider.
