Lance Armstrong finished ninth in the Cape Argus race after helping a teammate get a podium finish.

Armstrong was part of a breakaway group that attacked near the end to set up a sprint for Team RadioShack rider Daryl Impey. But a strong headwind slowed the attack and Impey ended up third behind winner Malcolm Lange of South Africa.

"What a cool ride/race," Armstrong wrote on his Twitter feed. "Wind was howling out there."

Lange won Africa's biggest race for the third time, finishing the 68-mile course in 2 hours, 39 minutes, 55 seconds.

Armstrong was taking part after helping to raise funds for a charity organization in South Africa this week. About 35,000 riders competed in the event.

"Hats off to all the riders out there," Armstrong wrote. "Won't be easy in that wind. Cold beers tonight!"