Armstrong and Landis give Tour of California extra gloss

The return to competitive cycling by Americans Lance Armstrong and Floyd Landis has helped ratchet up interest in this month's Tour of California by several notches.

Seven-times Tour de France winner Armstrong competed for the first time in three-and-a-half years at last month's Tour Down Under in Australia while Landis has just completed a two-year doping ban.

Both men will command huge media interest, Armstrong as one of the sport's greatest riders and Landis as the 2006 champion in California who went on to win that year's Tour de France before being stripped of his title after failing a dope test.

Several other big names will be contesting the 750-mile, nine-day race, including twice defending champion Levi Leipheimer, 2008 Tour de France winner Carlos Sastre and last year's Olympic time trial gold medalist Fabian Cancellara.

"Every year the field has got better and I think you can attribute that to the importance of this race," Michael Roth told Reuters on behalf of race organizers and presenters AEG Sports.

"It has picked up every year since the inaugural edition in 2006 and the race's reputation keeps building with the leading riders around the world."

Roth said Armstrong's presence would give the race a higher profile.

"Few athletes in any sport have ever dominated like Lance Armstrong has done in cycling and his participation will raise the awareness dramatically.

"I also believe the financial environment will sort of play into our hands," added Roth, referring to the global economic crisis.

"This is a free race of world-class standing and last year we set a record by drawing 1.6 million fans.

"It would certainly not surprise anybody if we attract two million or more this year, given the (ninth) extra day to the race and what Lance and the entire field bring to the casual sports fan."

ARMSTRONG COMEBACK

Armstrong, who quit professional cycling after the 2005 Tour de France but announced late last year he was making a comeback at age 37, is eagerly awaiting the February 14-22 race.

"The level of competition, the challenge of the course and the highly professional atmosphere make it the ideal situation for me to continue my training," he said in a statement.

"I look forward to racing once again in the United States in what we consider the best race outside of Europe."