Lance Armstrong is staying retired

By Associated Press AUSTIN, Texas -- An Armstrong spokesman said Tuesday the seven-time Tour de France champion is not making a comeback, despite comments the cycling great made to the Austin American-Statesman that he is considering returning to competition to anger the French.

"It's not going to happen," Mark Higgins told The Associated Press. "He's 100 percent retired."

Higgins, who spoke to Armstrong after the article appeared, said Armstrong was joking when he told a newspaper he was thinking of coming out of retirement.

"I'm thinking it's the best way," to anger the French, he told the newspaper. "I'm exercising every day."

Armstrong said he had toyed with the idea of a comeback after the French newspaper L'Equipe reported Aug. 23 that he tested positive for a performance enhancing drug during the 1999 tour. He has strongly denied the drug allegations.

Armstrong was speaking to the newspaper to announce his engagement to music star Sheryl Crow. The two got engaged last week while on vacation in Idaho.

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