Armstrong thinks Vinokourov hasn't performed well enough to take Tour (Image credit: Luc Claessen)
Seven time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong believes this year's Tour is wide open for anyone to win, following some disappointing performances from favourites in the lead up to the July 7 start. The American, who will be at the start in London, had named Astana's Alexandre Vinokourov as a likely victor earlier in the season, but feels the Kazak hasn't shown the required form in the event's lead up.
"Before last week the odds were that Vinokourov would be the winner. I think he had the best chances, but he didn't perform well in the high mountains, in the Dauphine," Armstrong told AP. "I think as far as the race goes that it's wide open. It's really anybody's guess."
While Armstrong believes his Discovery Channel team's Levi Leipheimer is a definite chance for the yellow jersey, he confessed that the American squad wasn't 'particularly that great' at the Dauphine either.
"I don't think our guys were particularly that great there, either," he added, "but I think they're on a good path to be in top form for the race."
Armstrong will return to the United States shortly after the first stage in London to appear at a celebrity golf match in Lake Tahoe. The now retired Armstrong may return to France for the remainder of the Tour, but that will depend on how the boys in blue are performing.
"We'll see how the race plays out, and whether or not we go back to Paris, I don't know," he said.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
