Lance Armstrong not fazed by prospect of eighth Tour win

LANCE Armstrong insists an eighth victory in this year's Tour de France would mean no more to him than number seven did five years ago.

SHIFT IN PRIORITIES: Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong is adamant an eighth victory would mean no more than number seven did (Getty Images)

After retiring in 2005, the 38-year old made his comeback to professional cycling last season, citing an ambition to compete in the 2009 Tour de France as one of the primary targets for his return.

The Texan showed glimpses of the brilliance which saw him romp to seven Tour victories in a row between 1999 and 2005, but ended up third overall, 5:24 minutes behind Astana teammate Alberto Contador.

The new season brought a change of tack for Armstrong as he established a new team under the sponsorship of Radioshack and admitted he would return for his 13th Tour.

But the American claims a record breaking eighth title, with which he would become the oldest athlete to ever win the Tour, is no longer at the top of his priorities.

"An eighth Tour win isn't essential," Armstrong told Spanish newspaper El Pais. "I don't need it especially.

"I only need it as a reward for my hard work. Honestly, there wouldn't be much difference between winning seven or eight.

"The next Tour will be a great story - the rivalry with Alberto, what happened last year - and will be good for the Tour.

"But it won't change my life if I win it or I don't and it won't change the lives of my children.

"I'm 38 years old. Alberto is 27 and improving every year. I can see that, people can see that. The forecast is not in my favour."

Upon departing Astana to set up RadioShack, Armstrong took almost everything of value with him, including Johan Bruyneel, the mastermind behind Astana's 2009 victory and Armstrong's seven wins.

Levi Leipheimer and Andreas Kloden have also jumped ship to join Armstrong, and the American insisted at the start of the season the team would be lead by one of them rather than himself.

And Armstrong, who turns 39 at the end of the season, believes he is seen differently among his competitors, with respect rather than fear.

 "It's impossible for me to know what the rest are thinking," said Armstrong.

"I know that at one time they used to fear. Perhaps now they respect me.

"Young riders come up to me and ask me, very respectfully, if they can have their photo taken with me.

"That makes me feel very old."