Armstrong cleared to race

Armstrong: Will be strictly monitored

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Lance Armstrong has been cleared to return to race riding in the Tour Down Under in Australia in January.

The International Cycling Union has told the seven-time Tour de France winner that he can take part despite the American not having been registered with an anti-doping programme six months prior to competing.

Since he announced his comeback in September Armstrong should not be allowed to compete until the end of February, however the ICU says the 37-year-old can take part but will be 'strictly monitored' in the run-up to the event.

"The International Cycling Union (UCI) has decided to approve Lance Armstrong's participation in the forthcoming Tour Down Under in Australia, to be held 20-25 January, the first event of the 2009 UCI ProTour," said a UCI statement.

"According to Article 77 of the Anti-Doping Regulations introduced in 2004, a retired rider may only return to competition by informing the UCI six months in advance in order to allow him/her to be available for out-of-competition testing.

"Consequently, Lance Armstrong would only be able to return to the sport at international level from 1 February 2009, a week after the end of the Australian event.

"In respect of this situation, the UCI has taken into account the progress made in its anti-doping programme since 2004. As a result of the improvements implemented, riders are now subject to a much-reinforced system of monitoring compared to that of the past.

"The UCI can confirm that Lance Armstrong has and will be the subject of very strict monitoring throughout the period running up to his return to the peloton."