Don't look now, but Lance Armstrong is gaining on you.

It was amazing to see that after three stages in the Tour de France, Armstrong, who had won seven titles from 1998 to 2005 before calling it quits, returned after the layoff and was sitting in third place, just 40 seconds behind the leader.

After Tuesday's Stage 4 team time trial, Armstrong was less than a second behind leader Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland and was that close to wearing the yellow jersey.

I'll admit that after Armstrong retired from competitive racing in 2005, the Tour de France just didn't have the appeal to me like it did when Armstrong, was, well, strong.

Despite a constant bombardment from French officials and media about doping allegations, Armstrong was determined to return.

At the age of 37, it looked like an uphill climb to return to those past glories. He could have taken those record seven straight titles — as well as 21 stage victories and 83 yellow jerseys — and enjoyed the role of conquering hero, letting those in France stew that they never could pin any blood-doping allegations on him.

Instead, Armstrong is back and has to be considered a major player in this year's race.

Seeing him in a yellow jersey for a day, at least, would have been fun. He might still get that chance, but he'll definitely have the competition, especially from Cancellara and his own Astana teammate, Alberto Contador of Spain, the 2007 Tour winner, who is currently in third place.

A battle between teammates is rare, as teams designate a leader and ride to protect and their choice.

That was Armstrong in the past, who rode with the U.S. Postal Service and Discovery Channel teams.

Still, who could have expected to see Armstrong among the leaders? I certainly didn't and now I'll definitely be watching to see if he can pull off an challenge of epic proportions.

Coming back from stage-three testicular cancer, which was discovered in 1996, a disease that spread to his lungs, stomach and brain, Armstrong met that challenge head on.

He endured all the chemotherapy, then the training to compete at a high level.

Most athletes would have been thrilled just to be able to walk, run or ride at a gentle pace. But to push past that and become one of the all-time greats in your field is amazing.

After all that, to rip off seven consecutive titles in a 2,000-plus mile road race is ridiculous. Now, he attempts another astounding comeback, one that will make him one of the oldest champions in an event he has had little contact with since 2005.

If not for Armstrong, July most likely would have slipped past me with very little interest. Major League Baseball is fine, but the All-Star Game's a snooze and, with the Pirates already tailing off, the sport doesn't get good until September.

NFL training camps begin later in the month while the NHL and NBA are finally completed.

Armstrong's the main attraction now. Keep your eye on him or he'll pass you by.

Sam Tallarico is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.