The RadioShack team has denied reports that their captain, Lance Armstrong, will take part in the Tour de Suisse as part of his build-up for the Tour de France. This news keeps the possibility open that the American and Tour de France favorite Alberto Contador (Astana) could race against one another at the Dauphiné Libéré in France before their big showdown in July.
The Dauphiné has been used by Armstrong for six of his seven Tour de France wins. In 2001 he won the Swiss race in route to his third Tour de France crown. Last year’s Tour de Suisse was won by Swiss time trial specialist Fabian Cancellara, and lacked mountain passes as challenging as the French race.
Armstrong hasn’t had the ideal preparation for his second bid to secure an eighth Tour de France victory. He’s currently back in the United States after sickness took him out of this week’s Circuit de la Sarthe. His latest setback followed a strong performance in the Tour of Flanders this past weekend. Armstrong also became ill during his build up to the Critérium International last month.
The next big race for the American is the Tour of California next month, where he is expected to help teammate Levi Leipheimer ride to his attempt at a fourth consecutive win in the event. RadioShack told VeloNation that the final decision will be made following Armstrong’s participation in the Tour of California.