PARIS - The absence of seven-time winner Lance Armstrong is almost certain to add more drama to this summer’s Tour de France.

The 34-year-old Armstrong retired from cycling in July after winning his seventh straight Tour. He beat Italian Ivan Basso by 4 minutes, 40 seconds and 1997 Tour winner Jan Ullrich by 6:21 last year.

Since his first win in ’99, no rival has come within a minute of beating him. Ullrich was closest in 2003 when he placed 61 seconds behind the Texan.

Basso and Ullrich are expected to be among the favorites when the race runs this July 1-23.

“I dream that there will be a question mark over the winner of the Tour until the very end,” Prudhomme said. “Maybe Ullrich, nine years later, maybe Basso … or young riders like (Alejandro) Valverde or (Damiano) Cunego or (Alexandre) Vinokourov. Who knows?”

Ullrich, who has finished off the podium only once since finishing second to Bjarne Riis on debut in 1996, is tipped by Armstrong to win.

The race could provide early indicators as to who will lead the Discovery Channel team in July now that Armstrong has retired.

Yaroslav Popovych, voted best young rider on last year’s Tour, is expected to lead Discovery at Paris-Nice. Team director Johan Bruyneel could see the 26-year-old as Armstrong’s natural successor.

“It’s exciting, of course, to see what Popovych can do,” Prudhomme said. “Will he make an impression at Paris-Nice, or will it be (Discovery teammate) Jose Azevedo?”

Prudhomme said Armstrong’s absence won’t be felt at Paris-Nice.

“He has not marked the history of this particular race,” Prudhomme said. “He came here last year and abandoned very quickly. In ’96 he finished second behind Laurent Jalabert.”

Armstrong pulled out after the third leg of the weather-shortened race last year, citing a sore throat. He was in 62nd place overall at the time.