BOURG-SAINT-MAURICE, France, July 21, 2009 (AFP) – Seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong said on Tuesday he would definitely ride in next year’s race a reliable source told AFP.

The 37-year-old, presently second in this year’s edition behind team-mate Alberto Contador, on Thursday is set to announce a new sponsor although he refused to say if it would replace his present team Astana.

However, his close friend and mentor Johan Bruyneel announced earlier on Tuesday that he is set to quit the Astana team as their team manager and rumors are rife that he is due to start up a new team with Armstrong the likely leader.