Armstrong does not expect Giro win

ROME, May 8 (UPI) -- U.S. cyclist and seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong says a recent injury will likely keep him from victory at the upcoming Giro d'Italia in Italy.

Armstrong, 37, broke his collarbone March 23 during a Spanish warm-up race, He said he hopes to win at least one stage of the Italian race, which begins May 31, the Italian news agency ANSA reported Friday.

"I'm not in great shape because of the accident in Spain," he said. "But I'm better than I thought I would be and I hope to win at least one stage."

Armstrong, who came out of his four-year retirement to compete in this year's Giro and the Tour de France, predicted strong showings in the upcoming race from teammate Levi Leipheimer, 35, and Italian competitor and 2006 Giro winner Ivan Basso, 31.

"I want to help Leipheimer, who can at least hope for the podium," Armstrong said. "But the Giro is a very special competition for the Italians and they're really fired up."