Armstrong to ride for Astana team in 2009

Lance Armstrong has confirmed that he will join the Kazakh-backed Astana team for his competitive comeback next year, with his comeback race being January's Tour Down Under in Australia.

The 37-year-old American confirmed in a news conference that he was returning to racing to promote his cancer prevention foundation -- but has downplayed the idea he might win the Tour de France for a remarkable eighth time.

"I don't know, honestly. I've been off the bike for three years," he said. "I'll be nearly 38-years-old -- so I honestly don't know if it will be possible.

"I will try to be as prepared as possible. I don't know if that equals victory. I have a fair bit of confidence, but not that kind of confidence."

Astana was always Armstrong's likely destination following his decision to return to professional cycling. The team is managed by Dutchman Johan Bruyneel, who led the US Postal and Discovery Channel outfits during the American's period of Tour de France dominance.

"While we looked at other teams and we talked with other teams, as a friend and as a partner and as someone, I can really trust Johan on every little decision," added Armstrong. "I could not imagine racing against him or without him."

Meanwhile, Nikolai Proskurin, the deputy president of the Kazakhstan cycling federation, said that Armstrong would share the leadership of Astana with current team leader, Spaniard Alberto Contador.

Responding to reports that Contador, the 2007 Tour de France winner, is unhappy at the idea, Armstrong said: "I look forward to racing with him. Alberto is the best rider on the planet right now.

"We have to understand that and have to respect that. I'm not sure I can ride that fast right now," he said. "I hope it works out."

Earlier this week, Contador told Spanish newspaper AS that Armstrong's arrival would prove difficult for him. "I've earned the right to be the leader of a team without having to fight for my place," Contador was quoted.

"And with Armstrong, some difficult situations could arise in which the team would put him first and that would hurt me.

"My intention is to stay at Astana because I have a contract until 2010, but I have already received a good number of offers from other teams," he added.

Astana were banned from this year's Tour de France because of doping scandals involving former high-profile members of their squad, but the acquisition of Armstrong will be a massive boost for the team which is backed by the Kazakhstan national bank.

CNN Headline