Lance Armstrong to skip race on April 18

Armstrong will miss the Amstel Gold skip the race on April 18 & appears unlikely to return to Europe for any the Fleche Wallonne or the Liege-Bastogne-Liege this month in Belgium, said Philippe Maertens.

He desires to spend more time with his family & try to feels he is in good enough shape to make some "fine-tuning" at home prior to the Tour de France in July said Maertens.

He is now riding in the 4-day Circuit de la Sarthe in France. He finished 24th in Tuesday's 1st stage following leader Luis Leon Sanchez of Spain.