SPORTS> World Events
Armstrong to race against
(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-11-21 10:19
SYDNEY - American Lance Armstrong will race against long-time team mate George Hincapie in the Tour Down Under around Adelaide in January.

Armstrong, seven-times Tour de France winner, is coming out of retirement and returning to professional cycling in the South Australian race.

Organisers announced on Friday that Hincapie would be competing in Australia as a member of Team Columbia.

Hincapie was formerly a member of the US Postal team, riding alongside Armstrong in all his Tour de France victories.

"Team Columbia is sending a very strong line-up to compete at the 2009 Tour Down Under," race director Mike Turtur said in a statement.

"The inclusion of an experienced rider such as Hincapie, who is such a reliable and solid competitor, will really add to our world-class cycling spectacle.

"The Tour Down Under will be the first time that Hincapie and Armstrong will compete against each other on opposing teams."

Last year's Tour Down Under winner, German Andre Greipel, will be back with Team Columbia to defend his title.