Armstrong back racing at Tour of the Gila

Lance Armstrong climbing at Astana's training camp in Tenerife, December 2008

Lance Armstrong made his return to competition yesterday at the Tour of the Gila, USA. The seven-time Tour de France winner returns after an enforced month's lay-off after badly breaking his collarbone in March.

Armstrong left a post on his Twitter site shortly after the first stage: "Stage 1 of Gila done. Levi Leipheimer cruises to victory. I didn't feel so bad myself for first race back after the crash."

Armstrong is participating in the Tour of the Gila as part of a three-man outfit riding under the name of Armstrong's Texas bike shop, Mellow Johnny's. Originally Armstrong's ProTour team Astana had entered a squad, but were unable to do so due a ruling that states that no professional-level team can take part in a national-level event.

LEIPHEIMER TAKES THE WIN
Levi Leipheimer won the opening stage of the five-day Tour of the Gila in New Mexico, USA, on Wednesday. Leipheimer broke free from the bunch during the final climb to take a solid solo win, 49 seconds ahead of second-placed Peter Stetina (Felt-Holowesko).

"As we only knew since yesterday that we would participate here, we started with small ambitions," commented Leipheimer. "But when you feel good and you have a winner?s mentality, it is difficult to stay quiet in the peloton."

"I like to win and Lance motivated me to jump away on the final climb. I have no team here to control the race for me, but I will try to defend this nice red leader?s jersey."

TOUR OF THE GILA STAGE ONE RESULTS
1. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Mellow Johnny's 115km in 3-36-02

8. Lance Armstrong (USA) Mellow Johnny's at 1-40

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Nigel Wynn
Former Associate Editor

Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.