For Armstrong the event marks his comeback to professional cycling after several years in retirement. He has been keeping things low key this week as he does not want people to expect too much too soon.

In the third stage of six Armstrong crossed the line in 32nd place but was credited with the same time as the winner. Rabobank’s Graeme Brown took the stage. Allan Davis with team Quickstep holds the leader’s jersey.

The Tour Down Under runs from 18-25 January. It is held in South Australia and will end in Adelaide on Sunday.

After this event Armstrong heads back to the USA for his next race which is the Tour of California which starts on February 14.

One thing that did not impress Armstrong during stage three was a helicopter that hovered overhead for much of the day. “Also it’s a little nauseating listening to that thing all day long, no offence to helicopters”, Armstong said afterwards.