Armstrong to race Circuit de la Sarthe-Pays de la Loire

American Lance Armstrong is expected to race the Circuit de la Sarthe-Pays de la Loire from April 7 to 10 according to AFP. In his comeback season, he will race, along wit his Astana teammates, the 57th edition of the five-stage race which was presented on Saturday.

Organizers also announced the participation of eight ProTour teams including Astana, Cofidis, Française des Jeux, AG2R-La Mondiale, Bouygues Telecom, Caisse d'Epargne, Saxo Bank and Columbia. Continental teams have not yet been selected although French teams Bretagne Schuller, Chaussures Besson-Sojasun, Auber-93 and Agritubel are expected to race.

April 7: Stage 1 - Noirmoutier - Ancenis (191.9 km)
April 8: Stage 2 - Ancenis - Angers (93.8 km)
April 8: Stage 3 - Angers - Angers (6.1km) (individual time trial)
April 9: Stage 4 - Angers - Pre-en-Pail (180.8 km)
April 10: Stage 5 - Pre-en-Pail and Le Mans (200 km)

Thomas Voeckler (Bouygues Telecom) won the race in 2008 with American Christian Vande Velde (Slipstream Chipotle Presented By H30) just four seconds behind in second place.