Lance Armstrong departed Australia confident that the two key areas of his comeback are on track. The seven-time Tour de France winner finished 29th overall in the Tour Down Under, 49 seconds behind winner Allan Davis of Australia, but was satisfied with his ability to keep up with top riders after 3-1/2 years out of professional cycling. Armstrong says that his fitness is more advanced at this stage of the season than at any time in his career, and that after his time away he still has the legs to match younger riders. And his quest for an eighth win in the Tour de France in July this year, the competitive goal of his comeback, is “right on line.” “I wouldn't say (the race has) given me too much confidence,” the 37-year-old said. “It's given me a reassurance that I can still race because I've got to say, man, you never know. You're out 3½ years, you don't know how the body deteriorates or gets older. “It reassures me that I can work hard and do the right work and I think I can still race at the highest level.” Armstrong believes he also advanced the other focus of his return to cycling, expanding global awareness of cancer through his Lance Armstrong Foundation. He said in his blog on the Twitter social networking website that South Australia state announced it will name a cancer research clinic set to open in 2010 in his honor. By that measure, Armstrong says, his visit to Australia has been successful. “I think we've started something really great here with the cancer initiative and with having the (research) center named after the foundation,” he said. “We're going to be back here to continue that relationship long into the future.” Armstrong came across as relaxed and content in diverse blog entries he posted on his Twitter page during his two weeks in Australia. On the inauguration of President Barack Obama as the America's 44th president, he wrote: “Up early watching the inauguration events. Difficult yet exciting times.” He declared admiration for a fellow athlete, a man at the top of his sport: “Watching Federer vs. Safin at the Aussie Open (tennis). Federer's unreal. Freakishly good.” He found time for family: “Just talked to my son Luke. He says, ‘Hey, I hope you win today.' No pressure!! Jeez.” More than 750,000 people watched Armstrong race over the course of the six-day tour, including 144,000 in Adelaide on Sunday, both race records.
