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Lance Armstrong made a successful comeback in 2009 but intends to do even better in 2010 and has created his own UCI Team with backing from new sponsor RadioShack.

The US-registered team includes many of his former team mates at the Astana team, with Team Manager Johan Bruyneel again in charge of operations as was the case when Armstrong dominated the peloton.

Also in the line-up are American Levi Leipheimer, Germany’s Andreas Klöden and Spain’s Haimar Zubeldia. With support from the Ukraine’s Yaroslav Popovych, hard working American Chris Horner and young talent Janez Brajkovic, RadioShack is arguably the strongest stage race team in the 2010 UCI ProTour.

Armstrong is a sporting icon for his seven consecutive Tour de France victories and is a global hero for his fight against cancer. He will be 39 in September but has more spirit and determination than many of his younger rivals. He was third in the 2009 Tour de France but could do even better this year.

Leipheimer won the last three editions of the Tour of California and will surely be looking for a fourth victory in 2010 when the race moves to a May date in the calendar. However he could also challenge for a podium place in major stage races, as could Klöden and Zubeldia.

The 25-rider line-up includes riders from 14 different countries, creating a true multi-national team. Other riders to watch for are Belgian sprinter Gert Steegmans, South Africa’s Daryl Impey, Lithuania’s Thomas Vaitkus, Ivan Rovny of Russia, Gregory Rast of Switzerland and Fuyu Li of China.

“RadioShack has a very strong team for the big stage races but we’ve also got some great riders for the sprints and classics. For example, I’m sure Gert Steegmans will win a lot of sprints,” Johan Bruyneel said.