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Armstrong Keeps Low Profile on Eve of Tour

7-time champ the talk of the town as he prepares to try for an 8th

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 3, 2009 5:23 AM CDT

(Newser) – Fans and the press have barely seen Lance Armstrong ahead of the Tour de France launch tomorrow, but he’s still the talk of the town, the Melbourne Herald-Sun reports. The cycling champ is aiming to pull off one of the biggest comebacks in history by adding an eighth win to his record-breaking seven, and speculation is rife about the 37-year-old's chances against the young guns.

Some cycling vets say that while Armstrong's comeback is good for the sport, he hasn’t got a hope against favorite Alberto Contador from Spain. Others refuse to write him off. "When Lance puts his hand up and says he's going to do something, I've learned not to go against that," says Australian contender Stuart O'Grady.

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Lance Armstrong prepares to leave on a training ride with his Astana teammates in Monaco yesterday, ahead of the start of the 96th edition of the Tour de France tomorrow. (AP Photo/Bas Czerwinski)

Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong of the United States prepares to leave on a training ride with his Astana teammates in Monaco yesterday. (AP Photo/Bas Czerwinski)

Lance Armstrong, left, gestures when talking to Andreas Kloden of Germany, right, during the offical presentation of cycling teams in Monaco yesterday. (AP Photo/Laurent Rebours)

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I think it will be extremely difficult but Lance has won seven Tours so if anyone can do it, he can.
- Australian contender Stuart O'Grady

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Armstrong Keeps Low Profile on Eve of Tour