‘Armstrong won’t be the favourite’

Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong is not considered one of the favourites for Australia’s Tour Down Under, fellow competitor Stuart O’Grady said on Monday. Armstong, who retired after winning the Tour de France in 2005, is making a comeback with the Astana team at the Australian race from Jan. 20-25 before riding the Giro d’Italia and the French race later in the year to promote cancer awareness.

O’Grady, who won the Australian race in 1999 and 2001, confirmed he would ride for Danish team Saxo Bank in South Australia and said while he did not think Armstrong would be a favourite, he would attract a lot of interest.

“He’s definitely someone special and when you’re riding around with someone like that it’s hard not to get taken in,” he told reporters. “But I won’t be concentrating on him. He’s not going to be the big hot favourite for the race. There’s going to be a lot of other guys out there who are possible winners before Lance.

“He’s not going to be anywhere near the peak form he would be for the Tour de France.”