As expected, seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong finished in the lead group at the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour today. The timed mass participation cycling event takes place around the Cape Peninsula, and this year attracted 35,000 participants.
The RadioShack leader headed to Cape Town to help raise funds for a foundation set up to encourage sport for underprivileged children, and said that he would ride the event with "intent", but he would also be looking to "stay out of trouble". He took the start with RadioShack teammate Daryl Impey who is a native of South Africa.
Today's victor was Malcolm Lange. He has won the race on two other occasions. Lange said that Armstrong's presence added a lot of stature to the 2010 edition of Africa's largest cycling event.
The 110 kilometer event was marked by strong winds which slowed the peloton considerably. The big move on the day was when Lange's Medscheme team attacked the front group at the Chapman's Peak climb, but with 30 kilometers still left to race, Armstrong and teammate Impey decided not to react.
With the finish in sight the group was back together. At the one kilometer mark Armstrong attacked, forcing the others to chase and lead Impey out for the sprint. The wind was too stiff for the American to take the victory, with Lange and Christoff van Heerden proving too fast for the RadioShack sprinter, forcing Impey into third.
Lange's time was slow compared to previous years, at 2hr 39min 55 sec. Armstrong finished ninth on the day with everyone in the front group receiving the same time.
"Lance tried to go with a kilometer to go but I don't think he realized how strong the wind blows down here in the Cape," commented Lange to AFP after the race. "I think their plan was to make me go early but I waited. With about 150 meters to go I knew I had it."
After the finish Armstrong Tweeted: "Argus Cycle Tour done! What a cool ride/race. Congrats to @darylimpey on gettin' 3rd. Wind was howling out there."
He continued, "And hats off to all the riders today," adding cold beers were in order.
2010 Cape Argus Pick n' Pay Results:
1. Malcolm Lange (2.39.55)
2. Christoff van Heerden
3. Daryl Impey
4. Burry Stander
5. Rene Haselbacher
6. Dean Edwards
7. Bjorn Glasner
8. Johan Rabie
9. Lance Armstrong (+6 sec)
10. Nic White (+24 sec)