Armstrong primed for return

The Texan, 37, retired in 2005 but decided to get back in the saddle in an effort to promote the global fight against cancer, a disease  he  survived  prior  to  winning the Tour de France seven  times  in a row.

He  arrived  in Australia  on  Sunday evening  amid  a  beefed  up  security presence, but took some time out to speak  to well-wishers  before  being whisked away.

Asked if he was feeling any nerves, he  said:  “Definitely...not  right  now, but I will be in a week.

Excitement

“It is hard to compare because it has been  such  a  long  break  and  it  has been the longest break I have had.” It’s  both  nervousness  and  excitement. I am excited to be here.” Armstrong, who will ride for the Kazakh-financed Astana team, believes he is in the best shape of his career at this stage of a season.” I think (my fitness) is pretty good,” he  added.  “Considering  other  Januarys, I’m probably ahead of where I would have been in other years.” But  I’ve been  training a  lot earlier than in previous years as well so I’m optimistic.”