Armstrong aims to finish 'strong'

Lance Armstrong, who set the Tour de France record last year with his sixth victory, could have quietly pedaled his way into the sports history books at age 33.

Seeking a seventh title would mean fending off a deep crop of young competitors who would like nothing more than to knock off the defending champion. But Armstrong relishes a challenge. Last week, he announced he will again enter the Tour de France — then retire.

As a survivor of testicular cancer and six-time winner of cycling's premier event, no one should count him out.

Winning his seventh and final yellow jersey is not a certainty by any means. It may, in fact, be Armstrong's greatest athletic challenge. He would be the oldest cyclist in modern history to capture cycling's grand prize. Unlike his competitors who have the luxury of focusing their mental and physical energies on racing, Armstrong will undoubtedly endure endless scrutiny from the European press, which has dogged him with accusations that he has used performance-enhancing drugs.

Add to that concerns about Armstrong's personal safety. He received a number of death threats during last year's race.

Seemingly, though, Armstrong's greatest fear is losing his last big race on the world stage. "All champions are concerned about losing. That's the fear that drives them. That's the fear that gets them up early. I don't want to lose number seven," Armstrong told the Macon (Ga.) Telegraph.

Armstrong has vowed that he will park his bike after this year's Tour de France and work as an "adviser and ambassador" to the team. Armstrong says he decided to retire from racing to spend more time with his three young children and devote more time to cancer awareness and raising money for research.

He insists his decision is final, but stepping away from his sport may become his greatest challenge yet. Rock star Sheryl Crow, Armstrong's girlfriend, observed Armstrong's restlessness as he watched a cycling race on television recently. "She said, 'Look at you. You can't even sit down. How are you going to retire?' " Armstrong recounted.

She asks a great question.