MELBOURNE // The seven-times Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong is not considered one of the favourites for Australia's Tour Down Under, according to fellow competitor Stuart O'Grady.
Armstong, who retired after winning the Tour de France in 2005, is making a comeback with the Astana team at the Australian race from Jan 20-25 before riding the Giro d'Italia and the French race later in the year to promote cancer awareness.
The Texan is a cancer survivor.
O'Grady, who won the Australian race in 1999 and 2001, confirmed he would ride for Danish team Saxo Bank in South Australia and said while he did not think Armstrong would be a favourite, he would attract a lot of interest.
"He's definitely someone special and when you're riding around with someone like that it's hard not to get taken in.
"But I won't be concentrating on him. He's not going to be the big hot favourite for the race.
"There's going to be a lot of other guys out there who are possible winners before Lance.
"He's not going to be anywhere near the peak form he would be for the Tour de France."
*Reuters
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Dubai World Cup Carnival Thursday race card
6.30pm: Dubai Millennium Stakes Group Three US$200,000 (Turf) 2,000m
7.05pm: Handicap $135,000 (T) 1,600m
7.40pm: UAE Oaks Group Three $250,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
8.15pm: Zabeel Mile Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,600m
8.50pm: Meydan Sprint Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,000m
9.25pm: Handicap $135,000 (D) 1,400m
10pm: Handicap $135,000 (T) 1,600m
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5
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BRIEF SCORES
England 353 and 313-8 dec
(B Stokes 112, A Cook 88; M Morkel 3-70, K Rabada 3-85)
(J Bairstow 63, T Westley 59, J Root 50; K Maharaj 3-50)
South Africa 175 and 252
(T Bavuma 52; T Roland-Jones 5-57, J Anderson 3-25)
(D Elgar 136; M Ali 4-45, T Roland-Jones 3-72)
Result: England won by 239 runs
England lead four-match series 2-1
The specs
Engine: 2.7-litre 4-cylinder Turbomax
Power: 310hp
Torque: 583Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh192,500
On sale: Now