Reuters | Armstrong Predicts Historic Pace in Tour Time Trial

"It's flat, straight and not technical. It should be a tailwind and so could be one of the fastest time trials in Tour history," said Armstrong in a recorded message given to the media Friday.

The Texan added that he hoped Ullrich would not repeat the feat of Greg LeMond, the race's only other American winner, who snatched victory from France's Laurent Fignon by eight seconds in the final time trial in 1989.

"I certainly hope the outcome isn't like that Tour," he said.

Asked about Ullrich's opportunistic grab of sprint bonus time:

"It shouldn't really surprise anybody, we expected him to do that," Armstrong said.

"It's a little risky for my taste but I don't think two seconds is going to decide the Tour de France."