More roads to cross for Armstrong in Tour

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By Rachel Orland

No other man has won so many times or dominated so long in the Tour de France. Few men, if any, overcame so many obstacles.

On Saturday in Monaco, that man returns to the event that made him famous, attempting to beat the odds again and add another remarkable comeback to his storied career.

Lance Armstrong, at age 37 and after a three-year absence, opens his quest for one more victory, an eighth Tour de France title. Armstrong has another motive as well: quieting critics who accuse him of using performance-enhancing drugs.

Armstrong won a record seven consecutive Tour de France titles from 1999 to 2005. But it's uncertain how he will perform this year after the long leave.

"There are probably eight guys in the race who will start with ambitions to win it," said Phil Liggett, an analyst on Versus' broadcasts of the race. "It has got the elements of being an extremely good tour."

Armstrong, a cancer survivor, built his legend on unlikely comebacks and obstacles overcome. However, he faces a series of challenges entering this year's race - some from his own team.

In all of his Tour de France victories, Armstrong has competed as the lead rider. This year, he will compete for Astana as a support rider for Alberto Contador, a 26-year-old Spaniard who won the Tour de France in 2007.

Contador also represents a major threat to Armstrong's hopes of a full comeback.

"If Contador does come on to great form, I don't think Lance will get near him anyway," said Paul Sherwen, another race analyst for Versus. "I don't think Lance can climb like Alberto can."

Armstrong faces a new physical challenge as well: He broke his collarbone in March during the first stage of the Vuelta a Castilla y Leon, a five-day stage race that takes place north of Madrid.