Armstrong gets all clear for New Mexico

A loophole in the rules has cleared the way for American Lance Armstrong to use New Mexico's Tour de Gila as a prep race to next month's Giro d'Italia after all, his Astana team confirmed yesterday.

Armstrong's participation in the five-day race which starts later today had been in severe doubt because normally Pro Tour teams like Astana are not allowed to compete in national-level events, such as the Tour de Gila.

However after talks between USA Cycling and the UCI, which governs the sport worldwide, it became clear that Armstrong and Astana teammates Levi Leipheimer and Chris Horner could take part.

Tour de Gila organisers were reportedly furious with the UCI over the possible absence of Armstrong, whose presence will help promote the race significantly.

But when contacted by AFP a UCI spokesman said: "It was actually the UCI who told USA Cycling about the existence of a rule within their own regulations, which allows three riders from the same professional team to compete wearing neutral jerseys.

"USA Cycling were unaware of this."

UCI's intervention means Armstrong will be wearing a shirt emblazoned with Mellow Johnny's, a bike shop of which the 37-year-old American is part owner.

"I'm excited to get back to competitive racing," said Armstrong who is competing for the first time since breaking his collarbone in Spain last month.

"The recovery training has been going well but nothing compares to getting back into the bunch and racing," he added.

Earlier Astana team spokesman Philippe Maertens told AFP: "Lance is currently flying back to Colorado but will head out to New Mexico straight after. The decision to race at the Tour de Gila was made only this morning."

The loophole enabling him to compete has already been applied in other events, such as the Jaco Bay cycling classic race in Australia, where some of the competing Pro Tour riders wear the shirts of local or national teams.

Maertens added: "Racing in New Mexico is ideal as far as preparations for the Giro d'Italia go. He was originally scheduled to race at the Tour de Trentino but that finished last week.

"This way Lance goes into the Giro not long after competing."