Basso backs Armstrong

03 July 2009 | 2:50 - afp.com

Former Tour of Italy winner Ivan Basso has tipped his great rival Lance Armstrong to challenge for an eighth Tour de France title.

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Armstrong won the last of his seven yellow jerseys in a row in 2005 but this year at the age of 37 he has made a remarkable comeback to professional cycling.

In May he finished 12th in the Tour of Italy despite breaking his collarbone in a crash only six weeks before.

"Given his great experience and formidable character, Lance Armstrong will be aiming high at the Tour de France," said Basso, the 2006 Tour of Italy winner.

"Armstrong finished the Giro in 12th place but in those 16 minutes given up to the winner Denis Menchov he showed at 37 great improvement and powers of recovery given he broke his collarbone at the end of March and spent three years out of competition."

The Liquigas team leader twice stood on the podium alongside Armstrong at the Grand Boucle, finishing third in 2004 and second in 2005.

But following his Giro win he was banned for two years for doping and he made a disappointing return to major stage racing in this year's Giro, finishing fifth having started as a race favourite.