Cycling: Armstrong cleared for comeback

Lance Armstrong can make his comeback in January's Tour Down Under despite a breach of the rules, the International Cycling Union (UCI) announced today.

The seven-times Tour de France winner said last month he would return to the sport in Australia with the Astana team.

However, the UCI's Article 77 states a retired rider may only return to competition by informing the UCI six months in advance, in order to be available for out-of-competition dope testing.

Despite the race coming four months after the American's decision to return, the UCI has dropped the requirement.

"The aim of Article 77 ... can be better achieved through careful application of the current methods of the anti-doping programme than by the strict application of a time period," UCI said in a statement.

"The UCI can confirm Lance Armstrong has and will be the subject of very strict monitoring throughout the period running up to his return to the peloton."