Armstrong happy to get into Tour groove

BRIGNOLES, France: Lance Armstrong endured his first testing day of racing on his return to the Tour de France before avoiding a potentially dangerous finish among the safety of the main peloton.

The 37-year-old was given the same finishing time of 4hr 30mins 02secs as Mark Cavendish, who claimed victory over the 187km stage between Monaco and Brignoles as temperatures went close to 40 degrees celsius.

Having finished 10th in Saturday's time trial around Monaco, Armstrong remains in the same position overall and says he achieved his objective of staying out of trouble in Sunday's sweltering conditions.