Armstrong in top shape
Four-times Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong will not allow his marital problems to disrupt his preparations for this year's race, according to U.S. Postal team director Johan Bruyneel.
The 31-year-old American announced this week that he was undergoing a trial separation from his wife Kristin whom he married in 1998 shortly after undergoing his successful treatment for advanced testicular cancer.
Bruyneel was adamant that the cyclist's personal problems would not have an adverse effect on his chances of claiming a record-equalling fifth Tour win.
"On the contrary," Bruyneel told Spanish sports daily Marca on Thursday. "He is training harder than ever and is extremely motivated. This winter he has trained like never before because he knows that every year he is starting from scratch again."
Bruyneel added that he believed the experience of the riders in the U.S. Postal team would provide an extra boost for Armstrong in his bid to win this year's race.
"We now have a very solid team that know how to ride the Tour," he said. "They have the physical strength and tactical know-how to defend the race leadership."
Armstrong opens his season by competing in the five-stage Tour of Murcia, which begins next Wednesday, and will also take part in the Setmana Catalana race later in March.