25 Jan 2009

Armstrong produces his best ride so far in Australia

6:04 am on 25 January 2009

The seven times Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong has ridden to his best result at cycling's Tour Down Under in Australia.

The American has finished 23rd in the fifth and penultimate stage of his cycling comeback.

It sees Armstrong climb to 29th overall, 49 seconds behind Australian race leader Allan Davis.

Davis claimed his third stage win of the tour when he won Saturday's 148 kilometre stage, that included two steep climbs.

More than 100,000 spectators lined the streets in Adelaide to watch the race with most drawn by the lure of watching Armstrong.

The 37-year-old is making a comeback this year after retiring in 2005 to promote cancer awareness.