Paris - Seven-time champion Lance Armstrong is "highly motivated" going into this year's Tour de France, Astana team chief Johan Bruyneel said Thursday.

Astana's challenge for the Tour, which begins on July 4, will be led by Armstrong and 2007 winner and team captain Alberto Contador.

Among others in the Kazakh team's line-up presented Thursday are past Tour podium finishers Andreas Kloeden of Germany and American Levi Leipheimer.

Bruyneel said on Astana's website that after Armstrong's three years away from competition "I'm very happy with where Lance's form is leading up to the Tour."

He described Armstrong's participation in the Giro d'Italia in May as "a very smart decision and really prepared him for July."

He added: "He's worked very hard during his comeback season and I know he is extremely motivated for the Tour de France."

Contador had "worked very hard, earning the right to represent our team as the leader this July," Bruyneel said.

Astana were not invited to the 2008 Tour due to doping cases. (dpa)