Likely to follow up with Tour de Suisse
Team RadioShack has confirmed seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong for the Tour of Luxembourg today. The five-day race ends just a week prior to the Dauphiné Libéré, which would make the Tour de Suisse Armstrong’s likely next step for his Tour de France preperation.
This means that the American won’t meet Alberto Contador again before making his second attempt at securing an eighth Tour de France crown. Armstrong has only used the Tour de Suisse to build-up on one occasion during his seven year reign in France. He took the victory in 2001 on the way to winning his third Tour de France.
Armstrong confimed on Twitter: “TeamRadioShack just announced roster 4 Tour of Luxembourg including yours truly. Raced it once b4 in 1998 and won it. Looking 4ward to it.”
Last year Frank Schleck was the winner in Luxembourg, with Armstrong’s RadioShack teammate Andreas Klöden finishing second, then for the Astana team. The German will also be taking part in the event for the RadioShack team.
Armstrong has had a tough season thus far. His latest setback was last week when he was forced to abandon the Tour of California early in stage five following a crash. The crash was preceeded by accusations of doping by former teammate Floyd Landis, charges that the Tour champion has denied.
He has missed several racing days due to illness, with RadioShack team manager Johan Bruyneel showing concern for the lack of racing miles in his legs earlier this year. Bruyneel will be present in Luxembourg to personally oversee Armstrong’s progress.
RadioShack for the 2010 Tour of Luxembourg:
Lance Armstrong, Sam Bewley, Daryl Impey, Andreas Klöden, Tiago Machado, Gregory Rast, Ivan Rovny & Bjørn Selander
Sports directors: Johan Bruyneel & Dirk Demol