Briefs | Cycling: Astana rider Lance Armstrong awaits start of Tour de France

Cycling

Armstrong begins quest for eighth Tour victory Saturday: Lance Armstrong says he believes he can win an eighth Tour de France title, well aware his aging legs are not as strong as they used to be. The 37-year-old Texan is also willing to put such ambitions aside if it means helping teammate Alberto Contador win.

Contador, the 2007 winner, and Armstrong will ride for the Astana team in the three-week race that starts Saturday with a time trial in Monaco. Can the two Tour champions work together, or will their fierce individual agendas divide them?

Armstrong won the last of his record seven consecutive Tour titles in 2005 and left the sport for about 3-½ years.

"Now it's 2009, not 2004, 2005 or 2001, that's different," Armstrong said Tuesday. "I would love to be eternally young, but I'm not. That's just the reality. It's not going to be easy to win. In December and January, I thought it would be easier."

Armstrong said he would be willing to support Contador if it becomes clear the Spaniard is more likely to win the grueling race.

"Out of respect for him, out of respect for the team and out of respect for the rules of cycling, I would do it with pleasure," Armstrong said.

Armstrong, a cancer survivor, said he would love to prove his doubters wrong.

"They would say that my time has come and gone and that I'm too old, that it's very complicated, that there are other riders now," Armstrong said. "I know those things and you could use those for motivation."

Auto racing

George to be replaced: Tony George, 49, has been asked to step down as president and chief executive officer of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and his family's business. It is not clear how closely he will remain tied to the day-to-day operations of the Indy Racing League.

The board of directors of the speedway and Hulman & Company announced a new management team will take over the Hulman-George companies today.

Track upkeep can be expensive.

"This place wakes up every morning and eats money," George said in May. "We spend a lot of money keeping it in the condition we do."

Ex-drivers Allison, Waltrip are among NASCAR Hall of Fame nominees: Former drivers Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip are two of the 25 nominees for the first NASCAR Hall of Fame induction class.

NASCAR released the two names ahead of the announcement of all nominees Thursday night.

The first class will consist of five members. They will be inducted in conjunction with the opening of the Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C., in May.

Golf

Pro-am plan adopted: Starting next year, not playing in the pro-am event won't necessarily mean being disqualified from PGA Tour events.

Under a plan adopted by the policy board, some players might have the option of skipping the round of golf with amateur clients in exchange for attending a corporate function during the tournament, such as a dinner or cocktail party with top clients.

The idea originated from the Tour Championship two years ago, when the greens at East Lake in Atlanta were in such bad shape from the heat that the pro-am was canceled and players instead took part in a question-and-answer session with amateurs at breakfast.

"The sponsors loved it," player Davis Love III said. "That's what got this thing going."

Love said players would have the last word in case they need to participate in the pro-am to see the golf course.

Amy Mickelson to have surgery today: Phil Mickelson's wife, Amy, is to have surgery today to learn the scope of her breast cancer. Mickelson, ranked second in the world behind Tiger Woods, has said it is "unlikely" he would play in the British Open during the early stages of her treatment.

If that is the case, it would end the longest active streak in major tournaments. Mickelson has played 61 dating to the 1994 U.S. Open — he missed the Masters earlier that year after breaking his leg while skiing. Vijay Singh has played in 60 consecutive majors.

Soccer

Real Madrid fans welcome Kaka: Brazilian standout Kaka, 27, received a roaring welcome when he was introduced at his new home of Real Madrid in Spain before at least 50,000 fans.

Kaka, acquired from AC Milan of Italy for $92 million, said, "I'm very happy about this new step in my career at Real Madrid. Viva Madrid!"

Mayor says London's Olympic Stadium could stay at 80,000: The main stadium for the 2012 London Olympics might not be downsized after the Games because of England's bid for the World Cup in 2018 or 2022.

London Mayor Boris Johnson previously said it would be too expensive to keep the stadium at its maximum capacity of 80,000, instead backing plans for a 25,000-seat venue. "I'd be very foolish to rule it out now," Johnson said.

Swimming

Speedo discussions: Speedo officials are discussing whether to allow swimmers they sponsor to wear rival manufacturers' new high-tech suits.

Craig Brommers, vice president for marketing, said in a statement "the brand is continuing to evaluate the situation internally."

The introduction of Speedo's NASA-designed LZR suit 16 months ago sparked numerous world records. Other companies are making suits some swimmers contend might be faster.

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