Originally posted by AP (hosted.ap.org)

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Jul 23, 1:59 PM EDT

Armstrong announces new team for next year's Tour

ANNECY, France (AP) -- Lance Armstrong and RadioShack are forming a new cycling team that will compete in next year's Tour de France.

The seven-time Tour winner, who returned to cycling after 3 1/2 years of retirement, also said Thursday he expects to take part in running and triathlon events for Team RadioShack beginning in 2010.

"RadioShack has agreed to partner with us on this venture and ensure that this partnership and this team stays alive for years to come, continues to be at the head of the peloton," Armstrong said in a video on his Livestrong Web site.

The 37-year-old Texan is riding this year's Tour with the Kazakh-funded Astana team. He was in third place overall after Thursday's time trial, and did not speak to reporters near the team bus after finishing the stage.

"This has been a great season so far - the response in the countries we've been to has been amazing," Armstrong said in a statement released by RadioShack. "To be able to compete for an American team comprised of the world's top cyclists, supported by the best coaches and staff - I couldn't be happier."

Armstrong did not indicate who else might join Team RadioShack, but he's expected to build a squad fully devoted to his ambitions. Armstrong has spent much of this year's race in support of Alberto Contador, who has the yellow jersey with three stages left. Contador is expected to join another team next season.

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