Should he quit on a record of six Tour de France victories which seems unlikely to be broken soon?

It does not seem to be the option favoured by the Texan and the man who made it all possible, his team chief Johan Bruyneel.

"All I can tell you is that I believe Lance will still be a professional cyclist next season," the Belgian team director said."And I cannot imagine him being a professional rider without doing the Tour de France," he added.

Armstrong himself made it clear his motivation, though slightly different from what it was five years ago when he won his first Tour, was still there, along with an intact fascination for the Tour.

"For me it's a special, special event. If I return, and that's what we're going to decide in two or three months, I can't imagine not being on it," said Armstrong, whose team has signed with new sponsor Discovery Channel for the next three seasons.

"Me and Johan and Discovery Channel will sit down and we'll decide what is the schedule for next year.

"But make no mistake. This is the greatest bike race in the world. It's the one that matters the most and the one I love the most. I cannot imagine skipping the Tour.

"If I come back, it'll be with the perfect conditions and I will come to win," he added.

Yet Armstrong's approach could change in the future. He is no longer under pressure to conquer more Tours, having won a record six already. Any other would be icing on the cake.

NEW OPTIONS

The American, who will be 33 in September, admitted he was not ready to accept the same sort of sacrifices he has made in the past, especially staying away from his children for long periods.

The Texan, who parted with the mother of his children, Christine, last year, lives in Spain for most of the racing season and said he wanted to spend more time with them.

"I still enjoy the life I lead, but it's true that my personal situation with my children in Texas and me in Europe is the hardest thing for me. This is what has forced me to change my schedule," he said.

It is also what fuelled speculation that he could decide to take a break next season or focus on events he has yet to win.

Armstrong shocked the cycling world in 1993 when he won the world championship as a virtual unknown and has added a couple of fine stage races like the Dauphine Libere, the Midi Libre and classics such as the Fleche Wallonne or Clasica San Sebastian.

But he has yet to win the Giro d'Italia or the Spanish Vuelta, the two other big Tours previous cycling stars have all won in their careers.

"It's all speculation what our schedule will be," said Armstrong. "I always said I'd do the Giro and I stick to that. It's a beautiful race.

"I'd also like to do the worlds again. And the one hour record, but I'm (nearly) 33 and there is not a lot of time left."

But after notching arguably the easiest of his Tour wins this year, he could well be tempted to go on a little longer.

"I'm almost 33 years old and having been there 12 or 13 years I'm having more fun than ever."