Armstrong heads to Tour of Switzerland, his last race before Tour de France

Armstrong heads to Tour of Switzerland

LUGANO, Switzerland — Lance Armstrong heads for the mountains this weekend at the Tour of Switzerland, his last race before the Tour de France.

The seven-time Tour de France winner and fellow competitors face Alpine climbs and time trials in the first and last stages of the nine-day event over 839 miles.

Reigning Tour de France champion Alberto Contador — a top Armstrong rival — isn’t taking part. He opted instead to compete in the Criterium du Dauphine that ends on Sunday.

Armstrong won the Tour of Switzerland in 2001. The biggest title threats this year could be brothers Andy and Frank Schleck, and defending champion Fabian Cancellara.

The race ends June 20 with a 16-mile time trial in Liestal.

Armstrong is coming off a third-place finish at the Tour de Luxembourg.