[Tour 2004]Armstrong Announces Bid for Seven

[tour-junkie]

Hot off the, um, press (?)....

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/cycling/4269959.stm

Armstrong will go for seventh win
 
Armstrong is the only man to win six Tours de France

Lance Armstrong has announced that he will ride in this year's Tour de
France and aim for a seventh straight win.

It was rumoured the 34-year-old would skip the event but part of the deal
with new backers Discovery Channel was he would race at least one more Tour.

Discovery took over sponsorship of Armstrong's team from US Postal, who
funded his first six Tour victories.

The Texan said in a statement on Wednesday that he was "looking forward to
achieving a seventh Tour (win)".

Armstrong's decision was welcomed by rival rider Jan Ullrich.

Germany's 1997 Tour champion and five-time runner-up said: "It's good that
he is there. The best should be at the Tour."

Ullrich's T-Mobile team-mate Andreas Kloden, second to Armstrong in 2004,
added: "I always said he would ride. I am glad he's there."

Armstrong is set to open his 2005 campaign in the Paris-Nice race from 6-13
March. 

His Le Tour build-up also includes the prestigious spring classic the Tour
of Flanders on 3 April.

Armstrong will then return to the US and defend his title in the Tour de
Georgia from April 19-25 and other dates to his schedule may be added.

"I am excited to get back on the bike and start racing although my condition
is far from perfect," Armstrong said.

"Johan (Bruyneel, the team's sports manager) and I will evaluate my fitness
later this spring and possibly add some races to the calendar."