Cycling's biggest star and one of cancer's most prominent foes announced Wednesday he is coming out of retirement, joining the Astana professional team and likely clicking into his pedals at the starting line in Sacramento for the 2009 Amgen Tour of California.

Also during his news conference in New York, Lance Armstrong – who ruled the Tour de France for seven years after winning his battle with testicular cancer – said he is returning to the sport to draw more attention to his global cancer awareness campaign. The disease kills 8 million people a year worldwide and nearly claimed Armstrong in 1996.

Armstrong has been a force well beyond cycling. He was named the Associated Press Athlete of the Year four times – as many as Tiger Woods and one shy of Michael Jordan.

Armstrong's 2000 book, "It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life," was a best-seller, and his Livestrong cancer foundation sold so many yellow wristbands that they transcended the cancer movement to become a fashion staple.

For cycling, Armstrong's comeback story has been major news since word leaked out via anonymous sources Sept. 8 that he would return to competitive road racing.

Armstrong, who just turned 37, apparently was encouraged by a recent grueling mountain bike race in which he finished second to a 43-year-old and by the Olympic performance of 41-year-old swimmer Dara Torres.

So what does this mean for Sacramento, which has seen large crowds the past two years when it hosted a Tour of California stage finish? Far bigger crowds and more media attention for the city and for a race that will be televised in up to 100 countries.

On Feb. 14, the city will host the start and finish for Stage 1 of the nine-day race.

It's too soon to tell if Armstrong will race in California to win or to prepare for the goal of winning an eighth Tour de France in July.

Given he also plans to race in Australia's Tour Down Under in January and possibly the Giro d'Italia in May, it appears he will ride to revive his racing legs rather than go for victories.

"Lance has always trained really hard, but the big thing for him is, he needs to start earlier in the season and he needs to start with stage races," said Bruce Hendler, who owns and runs AthletiCamps, cycling training camps based in Rocklin. "What he's trying to do is getting the fitness necessary for July. He's looking at a build-up."

But Sacramento's Michael Sayers, who recently retired from pro cycling at 38, believes Armstrong might find it difficult to harness his competitive instincts.

"Sure, he's going to use (the early races) as a benchmark for his fitness, but we're talking about someone who has won the Tour de France seven times," he said. "I don't think winning the Tour of California is out of the question."

Chris Horner, who has ridden for Astana the past two seasons and trained in the Sacramento area, said that no matter what Armstrong's early-season goals are, he will generate excitement.

"They're going to have to make some extra room for spectators in Sacramento," Horner said. "Lance brings in a lot of people, a lot of attention."

Armstrong's new team has been plagued by controversy, as has the sport. A doping scandal at the 2007 Tour de France meant Astana was barred from this year's Tour and several other major races, even though the program was revamped and had signed defending champion Alberto Contador.

Contador, currently the sport's most versatile rider in the three-week races known as grand tours, is now Armstrong's teammate, along with Santa Rosa's Levi Leipheimer, winner of the past two Tours of California.

Because Contador perhaps would be the 2009 Tour de France favorite and is a hero in his native Spain, there is growing speculation he will leave Astana for another team.

That sets up the irresistible prospect of a race between two superstars – one approaching his prime, the other trying to reclaim his.

Call The Bee's Blair Anthony Robertson, (916) 321-1099.