Since his return to professional racing Lance Armstrong has had a huge impact on the sport and all eyes have been on whether the Texan has the fitness to compete at the top.

Armstrong went some way to answer any critics with his first race win since dusting down his Trek Madone after a couple of years of retirement, by winning the 49th Nevada City Classic in California.

In front of 20,000 spectators, Armstrong captured the top spot at the finish line after the 40-lap race that winded around a 1.1-mile circuit through the historic mining town in 1hr 28min 20secs.

Armstrong sprinted away from the peloton with about six laps to go on the hilly course. Ben Jacques-Maynes (Bissell) finished second, 21secs behind. Three-time Tour of California winner Levi Leipheimer (Team Astana) finished third, 22secs behind.

“What a great race”, said Lance Armstrong after his first victory in his return to cycling. “It was hard. And the crowds? Electric. The last celebration lap, people were running in the streets. This definitely makes my father’s day.”

Lance Armstrong returned afterwards to Aspen, Colorado for his last trainings before his next race, the Tour de France (July 4-26).