Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong said at a press conference yesterday he will consider taking part in Ireland's biggest stage race in 2009.
"We are seriously looking at the Tour of Ireland," he told the conference, which took place at the Astana team training camp in Tenerife. "Ironically enough, I did that race in 1992 (the Nissan Classic), which makes me feel very old. The timing works out really well," he added.
Armstrong was diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer in 1996 but fought the disease and returned to the sport, beginning his run of Tour successes in 1999.
Armstrong indicated that measures such as the smoking ban are part of the reason why he would compete in the Irish race, which runs from August 19th-23rd.
"Ireland has been very progressive with regard to this issue of public health. I'd love to be back there, 17 years later."
