Armstrong does u-turn and set to race in New Mexico

PARIS: American Lance Armstrong has performed a dramatic u-turn and will race in New Mexico's Tour de Gila in a bid to hone his form for the Giro d'Italia which begins on May 9, his team confirmed on Tuesday.

It means Astana team rider Armstrong, who will race at the April 29-May 3 event on an individual basis due to International Cycling Union (UCI) regulations, will compete for the first time since breaking his collarbone in Spain last month.

Astana team spokesman Philippe Maertens told AFP Tuesday: "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."