Seven-time champion Lance Armstrong can return to the Tour de France in 2009 if his team avoids doping scandals, the race director said yesterday.

A day after Armstrong confirmed his comeback with the Astana squad, Tour director Christian Prudhomme cleared up any doubts over whether the team would be allowed to race next year after being barred from the 2008 Tour because of doping problems in the past.

"They should be there if there are no ethical problems," Prudhomme said yesterday. "They weren't at any of our races in 2008. If nothing happens in the coming months, they should be at our races in 2009."

Cyclist Lance Armstrong answers a question at a news conference as young rider Tayler Phinney (R) listens during the Clinton Global Initiative, in New York on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008. [Xinhua/Reuters]

Prudhomme said he isn't sure whether Armstrong can still win after three years away from the sport or how next year's race will play out with the Texan - so dominant from 1999-2005 - back in the cycling pack.

But this much Prudhomme is certain of: almost everyone is talking about the cancer survivor's surprise comeback, even in remoter regions of France, a country where Armstrong has long stirred mixed emotions.

Prudhomme said he spent Wednesday at a race in the west of France, the Tour of Poitou-Charentes, and that "practically the whole day, people spoke to me about the return of Lance Armstrong."

"The fact that he is a star ... means that this touches everyone," he said.

Prudhomme said it was too early to say whether the extra attention generated by Armstrong will prove good or bad for the Tour.

He said he wants to ensure the race retains its "humanity," meaning that riders appear to be making a real effort and not just flying up tough mountain passes as they seemingly did when doping was more widespread.

"If you have that humanity with Lance Armstrong, then we will have a very beautiful Tour de France," Prudhomme said.

The 2009 Tour will set off on July 4 from the rich principality of Monaco on the Mediterranean coast. The rest of the three-week route will be unveiled next month.

Prudhomme refused to reveal details now but said this year's itinerary "will allow for suspense right until the end."

(Agencies via Shanghai Daily September 26, 2008)