MILAN: Lance Armstrong will race in next year's Giro d'Italia for the first time as part of his cycling comeback, the seven-time Tour de France winner said on Monday.

The 37-year-old, who retired in 2005, will compete in the May 9-31 race before bidding for an eighth Tour title in July.

"I will give my utmost, and not only to prepare for the Tour," Armstrong said in a statement.