Lance keen on Tour talks

Armstrong: Upbeat on Tour return

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Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong is keen to talk with race organisers and clear up his possible participation in the 2009 event.

Armstrong has returned from a three-year retirement and is determined to get back to his best, which initially meant a return to Le Tour - where he dominated the race from 1999 to 2005.

However, a strained relationship with Tour organisers ASO and the French crowds over doping allegations have meant that Armstrong's return to the race is in doubt.

However, after the route for the 2009 event was released, 37-year-old Armstrong released an upbeat statement saying he hoped top have fresh talks with organisers about his return to the French roads.

New route

"The route of the 2009 Tour de France strikes me as innovative and very interesting," Armstrong said in a statement.

"From its start in Monte Carlo with a 15k time trial, to the reinstatement of the team time trial, to stages in my old hometown of Girona all the way to another visit to my old friend the Ventoux, I could not have hoped for a different Tour."

Former ASO president Patrice Clerc was one of Armstrong's fiercest critics, but he has been replaced by Jean-Etienne Amaury at the helm.

Amaury though has been less than positive by labelling Armstrong's possible return as 'embarrassing' but despite this the Texan powerhouse is still remaining positive.

"While there has been a fair bit of tension and numerous disagreements with the Tour and its organisers," Armstrong added.

"I am well aware that there is new leadership at (tour owners) ASO and I look forward to upcoming conversations and to a mutually beneficial future together."

50-50

Manager of Armstrong's new team Astana, Johan Bruyneel, said that his rider is only 50-50 to make the 2009 Tour and would only appear if he thought the atmosphere around the race and the fans would be welcoming.

Controversy has followed Armstrong in France ever since he was linked with possible doping by a report by French newspaper L'Equipe three years ago that claimed a 1999 sample from the American contained a banned blood-boosting substance.

Armstrong never tested positive though and was cleared by a Dutch investigator appointed by the International Cycling Union, but a cloud still remains over Armstrong achievements in France, and he would receive a mixed welcome if he was to return to Le Tour.