Armstrong had 12 screws inserted to stabilise his right collarbone

Seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong has told organisers of the Giro d'Italia he will be fit to take part when the race beings in May.

The American's participation had been in doubt after he underwent surgery on his broken collarbone on 25 March, but he has already returned to training.

"I will be in Venice for the first stage. Trust me," Armstrong wrote in an email to the Giro organisers.

The 37-year-old is also likely to take part in the Tour de France in July.

However, Armstrong has said he is worried French doping officials may ban him for allegedly violating protocols during a recent drug test.

Armstrong returned to racing at the start of this year after three and a half years of retirement, and plans to race in the Giro, considered cycling's second most important race after the Tour, for the first time when it gets under way on 9 May.

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"The recovery has been going well and the plan is to be there," said Armstrong's spokesman Mark Higgins.

"Before the injury he had targeted a top-10 finish in the Giro. That is probably not possible now but maybe riding the Giro will be beneficial for the Tour de France."

Armstrong has been keeping fit on an indoor trainer in Colorado, where he is staying with his pregnant girlfriend Anna Hansen.

Giro organisers issued a statement saying Armstrong intended to meet victims of the earthquake that has hit the Abruzzo region of Italy when the 17th stage of the race passes through the area on 27 May.

Armstrong had a stainless steel plate and 12 screws inserted to stabilise his right collarbone, which was broken in four places, after he fell off his bike during the Vuelta Castilla y Leon in Spain.

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