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Armstrong says Basso favorite for '06 Tour

By AFP
Published: May. 9, 2006
Armstrong visits with the Discovery squad Tuesday morning.
Armstrong visits with the Discovery squad Tuesday morning.
Photo: Graham Watson

CSC team captain Ivan Basso appears to be the favorite for this year's tour de France, seven time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong said Tuesday.

The 34-year-old Texan was present in Belgium attending the last of four Giro d’Italia stages in that country. Armstrong was there to support his former teammate and defending Giro champion Paolo Savoldelli, who won the first stage.

But Armstrong said he had few doubts that Basso, twice a podium finisher behind him in the two most recent Tours de France, was the likely winner of both this year’s and the Tour de France (July 1-23).

"At the moment I would say it has to be Basso," said Armstrong. "However it is tough to say what could happen in the coming six weeks."

Armstrong, who had earlier said T-Mobile’s Jan Ullrich was the favorite in July, said he was surprised at the German’s lack of preparation at this point in the season.

"I originally picked Ullrich to win the Tour de France but he seems to be behind again,” Armstrong said. “If he's only five kilograms overweight that's pretty good for him butI don't understand him, he has so much to gain. I don't know if he loves the bike or not but he could be the biggest sporting star in Germany."