Tour de France officials confirmed yesterday they had talked with Lance
Armstrong after his announcement of returning to the race next year, saying no
special security will be put in place for his comeback, French media reported.
"We recently had the opportunity to talk with him," Tour director Christian
Prudomme said, "He told us of his wish to compete in the Tour and that if he did
come back it would be above all for the sake of his foundation."
Prudhomme added he was not surprised that Armstrong was returning to the
Tour.
Armstrong, who has won seven times in a row between 1999 and 2005, announced
on Monday he would ride in the world's premier cycling race next year despite of
expressed concerns over his personal safety on the French roads.
The 37-year-old American is currently training with his Astana team in Spain.
As a cancer survivor, Armstrong is always a controversial figure suspicious
of how to achieve success without doping. Armstrong, however, never tested
positive, and has repeatedly denied ever using performance-enhancing
drugs.
