The seven-times Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong will return to competition at this week's Tour de Gila in New Mexico after recovering from collarbone surgery.
After initially being barred from riding in the five-day event because of an International Cycling Union rule, Armstrong was subsequently cleared to compete as an individual.
The 37-year-old American, who broke his collarbone in four places in Spain last month, will compete with Astana team mates Levi Leipheimer and Chris Horner.
He was given the go-ahead to compete after USA Cycling reached an agreement with the UCI ober a rule that prevents top professional teams such as Astana from sending organised squads to national-level races.
Armstrong returned intends to make his first appearance in the Giro d'Italia next month.
He is also due to race in July's Tour de France but fears French authorities could ban him because of a disagreement over his behaviour at a doping test in March.
