Seven-times Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong is not considered one of the favorites for Australia's Tour Down Under, fellow competitor Stuart O'Grady said Monday.

Armstong, who retired after winning the Tour de France in 2005, is making a comeback with the Astana team at the Australian race from January 20-25.

He will also compete in the Giro d'Italia and the French race later in the year to promote cancer awareness.

Armstrong, a native of Texas, is a cancer survivor.

O'Grady, who won the Australian race in 1999 and 2001, confirmed he would ride for Danish team Saxo Bank in South Australia and said while he did not think Armstrong would be a favorite, he would attract a lot of interest.

"He's definitely someone special and when you're riding around with someone like that it's hard not to get taken in," he said in Adelaide.

"But I won't be concentrating on him. He's not going to be the big hot favorite for the race.

"There's going to be a lot of other guys out there who are possible winners before Lance.

"He's not going to be near the peak form he would be for the Tour de France."

(Agencies via Shanghai Daily December 30, 2008)