Lance Armstrong is uncertain if Tour de France organisers will offer him an invitation to compete in the 2009 race.

The seven-time winner of the Tour hopes to compete in the event but fears that his strained relationship with journalists and race organisers could affect his entry.

Armstrong, 37, quit cycling in 2005 but announced his comeback from retirement last month and said yesterday that he will ride in the Giro d'Italia for the first time next year. "It could be that the Giro will be the only stage-race of three weeks that I will take part in next year," he said. "There are doubts on the Tour."

Sceptics in France have questioned whether Armstrong, who recovered from cancer to win the Tour, was clean of performance-enhancing drugs even though he never tested positive for a substance and strenously denies the rumours.

"Everyone knows the importance of the Tour," he said. "But with all the problems I have with the organisers, journalists and fans, I could be distracted from my mission, which is to focus the world attention on the battle against cancer."

"I hope there will be a diplomatic and peaceful solution. Before announcing my comeback, I contacted the [Tour] organisers but I still haven't had any reply.

"Is there a possibility that they will not invite me? Everything is possible but I would find it incredible, a type of own goal. I want to be in Paris but in a situation of calmness."