Armstrong chases tour record

Lance Armstrong has signalled his intent to ride next year and potentially become the greatest cyclist in Tour de France history.

Armstrong started this year’s event, which began yesterday with a 6.5-kilometre time trial around the streets of Paris, as overwhelming favourite to win a record-equalling fifth Tour.

If the amazing Armstrong goes on to match a feat achieved by only four other riders – Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Miguel Indurain – that will set him up to become Tour king in 12 months’ time.

His coach Chris Carmichael told BBC Radio Five Live: “He’ll race through 2004. After that I’m not sure, it’s up to him.”

Carmichael added: “He is ready for the mountains in the Tour and the time trials.

“If everything goes smooth and he doesn’t have a crisis or an incident, then he will do very well. But there’s a long way to go.”

Armstrong’s story is remarkable, after being diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1997 and being given just a 15% chance of survival.

“He is very focused,” added Carmichael.

“He prepares very intensely for the Tour de France. His whole year revolves around it.

“But he is very emotional when he is on the bike. He races a lot of times with a lot of emotion, and that’s a strength of his but it can also sometimes be a weakness.”