Armstrong 'seriously looking' at Tour of Ireland

Lance Armstrong has offered a strong hint that he will compete in the Tour of Ireland next year.

The seven-time Tour de France winner is ready to include the August event on his schedule as he returns from retirement.

“We are seriously looking at the Tour of Ireland,” Armstrong said.

“Ironically enough I did that race in 1992, which makes me feel very old. The timing works out really well.

“Ireland has been very progressive with regard to this issue of public health. I’d love to be back there, 17 years later.”

Armstrong’s primary focus in his return is the Tour de France, which takes place in July.

Competing in Ireland would suggest that Armstrong is ready to continue beyond that event, and the

37-year-old admitted he does not know how long his comeback will last.

“It’d be nice to be able to dip your toes in the water and feel the temperature but there’s no time,” he said.

“It could be more than one year, it could be just one year. I find it difficult to believe it’ll be more than two years because at that point age will be a factor, if it’s not already a factor.”