Lance Armstrong, the seven-time Tour de France winner, turns age 37 today. And that means it’s almost exactly 10 months until Armstrong will win his eighth Tour de France.

Since Armstrong announced last week that he’ll return to competitive cycling, I’ve repeatedly been asked why he’s coming back.

Like I have a clue. Whatya think? He called me and asked for my opinion?

I know Armstrong some through the years. We get along fine, just like he gets along fine with lots of journalists.

But why Armstrong is returning? I’ll take him at his word. He wants to expand his cancer foundation to a larger global audience, and riding a bike seems to be the best way he knows how to do so.

And in terms of an eighth title, I’m not a cycling fan. I don’t care about gear ratios or titanium frames or the latest cool kit.

But through the years, I’ve seen Armstrong do too much to doubt that he’ll do what he wants to do. And if that means winning the 2009 Tour de France, he’ll do it.