Lance Armstrong.

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

MILAN, Italy -- Organizers for the Milan-San Remo have confirmed that seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong will take part in Saturday's race.

RCS Sport said Monday that Armstrong made the commitment in a phone call with race director Angelo Zomegnan.

The Milan-San Remo is the opening single-day classic of the cycling season, and at 298 kilometres it is one of the longest races of the year.

Armstrong is riding to get in shape for the Tour de France, and is unlikely to contest for victory. Last year, in one of his first races back from retirement, he finished 125th -- eight minutes 19 seconds behind British winner Mark Cavendish.

Before retiring, Armstrong raced the Milan-San Remo six times and never won.