I think this augurs him riding the Tour again if he's going to leave that decision until May. I don't think this means he intends to do the Giro, as that starts in late May. I really doubt he would try for the Vuelta. Looks like it's on for number seven. I don't think he has the stuff for the Classics...
Armstrong to decide in May on Tour de France
December 8, 2004
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Lance Armstrong will decide in May whether he will race in this summer's Tour de France, which he has won the last six years.
He said in Wednesday's Austin American-Statesman he will ride for another two years, but he's still unsure where to focus his 2005 schedule -- the European spring classics or Tour de France.
Armstrong's representatives did not immediately return a message left by The Associated Press on Wednesday.
After winning his record sixth title in July, the Texan has said he plans to race in the Tour de France again, but he didn't commit to next year or 2006.
On Tuesday, Armstrong and his team finished a weeklong training camp riding in the Austin area.
``I've got a clear head. I'm chilled out. I'm relaxed,'' Armstrong said. ``I feel better than I have at other December camps.''
The team also plans a two-week camp in Solvang, Calif., starting Jan. 11. The squad, which has been sponsored by the U.S. Postal Service the past nine years, will become Team Discovery on Jan. 1. After the January camp, Armstrong and team manager Johan Bruyneel will decide on which spring classics to enter.
Armstrong will leave his Austin home in mid-March and spend six weeks in Europe racing. When he returns home in May, he'll decide on the Tour de France.
Armstrong has been criticized for bypassing other popular races to concentrate on cycling's biggest event. The races he did ride were picked specifically to help him train for France.
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