Armstrong confirmed in Astana Tour de France team

LANCE Armstrong has been confirmed in Astana's starting line-up for next month's Tour de France.

STORY GOES ON: Lance Armstrong will start another quest for the yellow jersey when the Tour de France starts in Monaco on July 4th

The seven-times winner, making a comeback after three years on the sidelines, is one of six riders guaranteed to be on the startling line in Monaco after team manager Johan Bruyneel announced his 13-man pre-selection line-up.

Spain's Alberto Contador, who won in 2007 but didn't defend his title last year, is also guaranteed a place, as is Andreas Kloden, Levi Leipheimer, Yaroslav Popovych and Haimar Zubeldia.

Three of the seven remaining pre-selected riders will added in the coming days to complete the nine-man team.

Astana's involvement in the Tour had been in doubt due to financial problems but Bruyneel confirmed they had satisfied conditions of entry yesterday.