Sport - Cycling

Armstrong awaits meeting

MILAN: Lance Armstrong is waiting for a meeting with Tour de France organisers before deciding whether to enter next year’s race.

The seven-time Tour champion, who is scheduled to race the Giro d’Italia for the first time as part of his comeback in 2009, has expressed doubts over whether he would try for another Tour title because of the problems he might encounter in France from organisers, journalists and fans.

“The decision will be made down the road, after having talked with the organisers. We have asked for a meeting,” Johan Bruyneel, Armstrong’s team director at Astana, said in an interview with the Gazzetta dello Sport on Sunday.

Armstrong has feuded for years with Tour officials over drug-testing issues, but Tour director Christian Prudhomme has said he and the Astana team will be allowed to race next year — as long as they avoid doping problems. Astana was banned from this year’s Tour.

“I don’t expect everyone in France to be friendly, but there should at least be a serene atmosphere,” Bruyneel said. “Anyhow, Lance is accustomed to finding motivation out of anger and grudges.”

The 100th anniversary edition of the Giro is scheduled from May 9 to 31. The Tour de France starts on July 4.— AP

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