'Possible' comeback for Lance

2005-09-06 20:07

Austin, Texas - Lance Armstrong is still retired - for now.

After initially denying a report that the cycling great was thinking about making a comeback, Armstrong spokesperson Mark Higgins said the "door is still open" for the seven-time Tour de France champion to come out of retirement.

"It's a possibility," Higgins said.

Armstrong first hinted that he might ride again in comments on Monday to the Austin American-Statesman. After first calling the comments a joke, Higgins said Armstrong told him on Tuesday he was contemplating whether to ride again.

"He's definitely a retired athlete, (but) he's still fit and riding every day, still thinking about racing," Higgins told The Associated Press after a phone conversation with the cyclist. "He said it's definitely something he's been thinking about and that the door is still open."

Armstrong retired from competitive racing after his last Tour victory in July.

Higgins said Armstrong did not set a timetable on a possible return, noting that the cyclist just became engaged to singer Sheryl Crow. Higgins said Armstrong also planned to do a lot of work with his charity foundation that benefits cancer survivor programs.

Higgins said Armstrong did not intend to publicly comment on the matter on Tuesday.

Armstrong, who spoke to the paper about his recent engagement, said he considered the idea of returning to competitive cycling after the French newspaper L'Equipe reported on August 23 that his urine from the 1999 tour showed evidence of a performing enhancing substance in non-officials tests last year.

"I'm thinking it's the best way, to anger the French," he told the newspaper. "I'm exercising every day."

He has strongly denied the doping allegations.

- SAPA