Armstrong confirms Tour of Ireland plans

CYCLING: Lance Armstrong and Irish journalist Paul Kimmage could lock horns again in August, this time on the Dubliner's home turf, after the seven-time Tour de France winner confirmed his intention to compete in the Tour of Ireland.

Armstrong, who retired from cycling more than three years ago, announced the news at the conclusion of yesterday’s Tour of California where he finished seventh overall.

The build-up to that race, his second since making his highly-anticipated comeback, was overshadowed by a public spat between Armstrong and Kimmage with the American taking exception to comments Kimmage had made about him in a radio interview.

After Kimmage had asked a doping question at the pre-race press conference, Armstong took the opportunity to remind the assembled press corps that Kimmage had described him as a cancer in the sport.

"You're not worth the chair you're sitting on with a statement like that," he told the Sunday Timessports writer in a highly charged exchange. "I'm not sure I will ever forgive you for that statement."

Armstrong, a survivor of testicular cancer who retired after winning the 2005 Tour de France, has set his sights on attempting to add to his record with an eighth Tour this year.

He has been dogged by doping suspicions over the years, although he has vehemently denied ever using performance-enhancing drugs.

He announced he was making a comeback in September, saying he would be joining Team Astana in a bid to promote a global cancer awareness campaign.

This year’s Tour of Ireland will be the American’s second time to compete in this country – he previously took part in the race in 1992. The 37-year-old’s Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) also plan to hold a cancer conference in Dublin following the race.

Darach McQuaid, race director, is delighted to have the American on board: “We could not be more proud than to have Lance Armstrong riding once again on Irish roads in the lead up to his Global Cancer Summit.

“I am confident that we can provide Lance with a challenging course and via our global broadcast, promote his cancer message in over 140 television markets around the world.”