1870 days after his latest victory in professional cycling, the 2005 Tour de France, Lance Armstrong (Team Astana) has again won a professional road race. In front of an estimated crowd of 20,000 pro road cycling fans, Armstrong captured the top spot in the 49th Nevada City Classic in California - one of the most historic and challenging professional races in the United States.

Armstrong finished the 40-lap race that winded around a 1.1-mile circuit through the historic mining town in 1 hour, 28 minutes and 20 seconds, sprinting away from the peloton with about six laps to go on the hilly course. The seven-turn route traveled up and down steep hills, making it one of the more challenging single-day cycling races in the country.

Ben Jacques-Maynes (Team Bissell) finished second, 21 seconds behind. Three-time Tour of California winner and fellow teammate Levi Leipheimer (Team Astana) finished third, 22 seconds behind.

Lance Armstrong.

“What a great race”, Lance Armstrong commented 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 training sessions with coach Chris Carmichael before his next race, the 2009 Tour de France (July 4th-26th).