BRIEF-Cycling-Stiller visits Armstrong, tips Damon for biopic

MARSEILLE, France, July 6 (Reuters) - Actor Ben Stiller paid a visit to Lance Armstrong before the Tour de France third stage on Monday and tipped Matt Damon to play the lead role in a biopic of the American's life.

"I tried to give him some pointers but I don't think I was really helpful," Stiller, one of Hollywood's top box-office performers, told reporters when leaving the Astana bus.

Asked if he would like to star as Armstrong in a planned biopic on the 37-year-old Texan, Stiller said: "Who are you talking about? Damon would be good I think." Fellow actor Damon has been linked with the role.

(Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Nigel Hunt; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)