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Armstrong return gets lukewarm reception

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Lance Armstrong's ambitious comeback plans aren't being met with sweeping enthusiasm from the cyclists he hopes to race against.

Several riders competing at the Spanish Vuelta Wednesday gave a lukewarm reception to Armstrong's plans to return to racing in 2009 following a three-year layoff.

"Why is everybody so impressed? I'm surprised in a way that I don't know what he's got to win from it," QuickStep rider Tom Boonen told The Associated Press after crossing the line behind stage winner Oscar Freire. "If somebody feels like racing just let him race. (But) I wouldn't do it, I think."

Earlier, Astana team boss Johan Bruyneel suggested it was only a matter of time before the seven-time Tour de France champion signed with his team.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-09-10-08 1438EDT

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