Will He? Won't He? Can Armstrong Win Tour De France?

PARIS, July 6, 2009— -- The 96th Tour de France is now underway and this year's main attraction is the return on the "Grande Boucle" of U.S. cycling legend and seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong.

The Tour de France is a gruelling three-week cycling race around France. The race is divided into 21 stages and covers close to 2,200 miles. Among the 21 stages, there are seven mountain stages, some of them ridiculously difficult, which make the legend of the Tour.

Many consider the Tour de France the most difficult race in the world, all sports taken into account. And making it to the finish line in Paris, even in last position, represents a real achievement for many professional cyclists.

This year, 180 cyclists started the race in Monaco. To everyone's surprise, Armstrong announced at the beginning of the year his return to competition and, thus, to the Tour, primarily to promote his foundation against cancer, Livestrong. And maybe more.

But can Armstrong win this race for the eighth time, after four years away from professional cycling and at the age of 37?

No cyclist has ever won the Tour at his age: The oldest winner was Firmin Lambot of Belgium, at 36 years and four months, in 1922. But Armstrong, who'll be 38 in two about months, is not your typical cyclist. And no one can remain indifferent to him, some competitors say.

"It [an Armstrong victory] looks difficult to me, but it is not out of question," five-time Tour de France winner Eddie Merckx of Belgium told France 2 TV Sunday.

Raymond Poulidor of France, a three-time, second-place finisher, said, "You know, Armstrong is not made like the others. He is an unusual man. And, with an unusual man, we don't know."

Recently retired French cyclist Laurent Jalabert said, "I don't believe he can [win the Tour again]. But I know he is a man who controls well tactics, the race and who's got nothing to lose and who can be dangerous at any time."