Uncertainty over Armstrong return
Lance Armstrong's cycling comeback is in doubt because of a technicality over anti-doping re-entry rules.
Riders coming out of retirement need to be in the International Cycling Union's (UCI) anti-doping programme for six months before being allowed to race.
That would make the American ineligible for January's Tour Down Under, after he announced in September that he would make a comeback after three years out.
"Rules must be respected," said UCI president Pat McQuaid.
The sport's governing body said it would make a final decision later this week, but it is unclear when the six-month countback will begin as the 37-year-old had to return to the United States Anti-Doping Agency's testing programme to compete in August's Leadville Trail 100 mountain bike race in Colorado.
"We have to look into that. I am not sure what the exact dates are that he started the programme," added McQuaid.
The director of the Australia race, which begins on 20 January, said they face an anxious wait to see if the seven-time Tour de France champion will be allowed to compete.
"We are sitting tight and just waiting for the process to take its course," said Mike Turtur.
"The process is with the UCI - how they deal with it, that is internal stuff, that is up to them, so I don't know what the process is.
"It's a unique situation so they will have to deal with it and let us know what the outcome is."
If allowed to race, Armstrong will compete for Kazakhstan's Astana team.
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