Tonight:
5°c
Going gets tougher for Armstrong
20 Jan 2009Lance Armstrong felt the strain during his first road race in three years as he finished among the peloton in the opening stage of the Tour Down Under.
Temperatures today soared to 102°F as the 37-year-old American (below), among a field of 33 riders, raced through undulating hill country in rural South Australia state.
"That was tough, and this is the day they said is going to be the easy day," said the seven-time Tour de France winner, who retired in 2005.
Armstrong was greeted at the finish line by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who spoke with him for more than 15 minutes.
Defending tour champion Andre Greipel of Germany won the 86mile stage.
