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Lance Armstrong celebrated his son's first birthday with a solid performance in Friday's second stage of the Tour of Luxembourg to stay third overall as he prepares for next month's Tour de France.
The seven-times Tour champion was relaxed before the start of the 202.7-km trek featuring seven short climbs, even greeting reporters on the side of the road midway through the stage.
Local favourite Frank Schleck took the bouquet after attacking in the second of three 2.2-km ascents of the Col de l'Europe in the final 27 km as Armstrong and his RadioShack team mate Andreas Kloeden formed a nine-man chasing group.
Armstrong, whose season has been hampered by illness and a crash at last month's Tour of California, took sixth place in the stage and was 30 seconds behind leader Matteo Carrara of Italy in the overall standings.
"I think the sensations were good," RadioShack team manager Johan Bruyneel told a handful of reporters.
"It was a tactical race, there were attacks by the top of the climb, Schleck and Carrara took 20 seconds and then the race was over. But I'm happy with the team and Lance's performances."
Armstrong, who spent the day riding by the front of the pack in a bid to avoid trouble less than a month before the start of the Tour, was greeted by his visiting family after crossing the line.
"Hot, hilly, and hard circuits at the end. Legs coming around," Armstrong said on his Twitter feed.
His pregnant girlfriend Anna Hansen, youngest son Max, Luke, Bella and Grace, met him at the team's bus before leaving for the hotel where a family party was scheduled for Max's birthday.
Family is one of the reasons that could prompt Armstrong to end his career for good at the end of the season.
"I have not decided yet. That's the biggest factor, the time away, but I have not decided yet. As soon as I decide I'm gonna say.
"I have options. It's full schedule or there's nothing, full retirement. Or there's a hybrid: It could be a mix of the two as well."
Armstrong, 38, came back to the sport last year after spending three and 1/2 years away from professional cycling, finishing third overall in the 2009 Tour.
The Tour of Luxembourg ends on Sunday.
(Editing by Alison Wildey; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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