Cycling: Armstrong to ride in farewell Tour

(GETTY IMAGES)

Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong has announced that he is making his final appearance in the Tour next month. The 38-year-old American, two years into a second comeback, revealed the news through his Twitter website just days before he begins his campaign for an unprecedented eighth victory in the gruelling event.

"And yes, this will be [my] final Tour de France. It's been a great ride," Armstrong tweeted. "Looking forward to 3 great weeks." Armstrong finished a creditable third in last year's Tour de France, behind his Spanish team-mate Alberto Contador, but formed his own RadioShack team for this year's race after the pair fell out.

This year's Tour de France starts with a prologue in Rotterdam on Saturday and ends in Paris on 25 July. Contador remains the favourite to win but Armstrong is regarded as a serious contender to win an eighth title.