MACON, Ga. (AP) Lance Armstrong, the world's pre-eminent competitive cyclist, has ``penciled in'' plans to ride in April's Tour de Georgia, cycling officials said.
The five-time Tour de France champion has tentative plans to enter the Georgia race as he tunes up for a bid to win the Tour de France a record sixth time, Dan Osipow, general manager for the company that owns Armstrong's United States Postal Service team.
``Most (U.S.) races don't fit into his training schedule, but this one does,'' Osipow said.
Armstrong may be attracted to Georgia if part of the April 20-25 race is scheduled in north Georgia's mountains (as it was this year), said Kathleen Hardison, director of marketing for Tour de Georgia.
The mountain stage of the 2003 race, which proved very popular with riders and spectators alike, according to organizers, ended in Gainesville April 26.
``Of course Lance's main focus is the Tour de France and will continue to be,'' Osipow said. ``But if the Tour de Georgia fits into his training schedule, he'll be there.''
Other members of the U.S. Postal team competed in last year's inaugural Tour de Georgia.
She said stage planning should be complete by Jan. 1.
(The Associated Press contributed to this story.)
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