Lance Armstrong (AFP)

Johannesburg - While he confirmed last week that he would take part in this year's Pick 'n Pay Cape Argus cycle race, seven-times Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong is unlikely to race competitively at the annual event.

Armstrong had scheduled a trip to South Africa to raise funds for the JAG Foundation, but had initially intended to return home three days before the race, informing the organisers that he would not take part.

However, the 38-year-old confirmed via Twitter last week that he would be "racing the Argus", although race co-director Dave Bellairs said at a media briefing in Sandton on Tuesday that he believed the American would take it easy on race day, and he was unsure in which batch he would start.

"We would prefer for him to ride in the elite group. However, in all likelihood, he will not race," Bellairs said.

"At this stage we have no idea in which group he will start, but he will probably ride with the charity group to raise funds for the JAG Foundation."

The Giro del Capo four-day stage race will be held between March 9-12 and includes 21 teams this year. The mass participation race will take place on March 14 and the organisers have announced some innovations for the 2010 event.

New medals have been introduced in the main race to "reward cyclists who have supported us for many years", according to Bellairs.

A 10-year medal and a 21-year medal will be handed out for the first time to riders who complete the event for the 10th and 21st occasions respectively.

Anyone who has previously completed 10 or 21 races can purchase the special medals at the Lifestyle Expo and Registration which will be held at the Good Hope Centre between March 11-13. Riders who have completed 21 races will also be able to purchase 21-Club souvenir jerseys.

Riders who have completed the race in under three hours will also be able to buy exclusive merchandise at the expo.