Armstrong returns for Australian tour

Lance Armstrong's new cycling squad, Team RadioShack, will make its debut at the 2010 Tour Down Under around Adelaide from January 17-24, race organisers said yesterday.

Armstrong, who returned from retirement this year for Astana in a supporting role at the famed race, will be the star rider of the new Team RadioShack that will debut in Australia.

The Premier of South Australia, Mike Rann, confirmed that Armstrong, who turns 38 next month, and his new team will compete in the Tour Down Under following a meeting with the American in Dublin.

"I'm delighted to announce that Lance Armstrong will be back in Adelaide to race in next year's Tour Down Under," Rann said.

"This will be the first time Lance's new team will compete anywhere in the world."

Armstrong finished third overall at the Tour de France last month while racing for Astana on what was his first participation in the race since securing his seventh yellow jersey in 2005, after which he retired.

It was during the Tour de France that cancer-survivor Armstrong confirmed he would ride for new outfit, Team RadioShack, next year as he bids to win an eighth yellow jersey.

Belgian newspapers this week reported that Belgians Sebastien Rosseler and Gert Steegmans were set to join Armstrong's new team.