Cycling: Armstrong ascends the throne

KING HARALD, of Norway, shook hands with the new king of cycling yesterday when the Texan, Lance Armstrong, won the World Professional Road Race title on an inhospitable day in his kingdom, writes Robin Nicholl from Oslo.

Behind the American, the bedraggled entourage was led by Spain's Miguel Indurain. He took the silver medal to go with his Tour de France treble. Only 66 riders completed the 257 kilometres on a day that produced more than 100 retirements after a succession of crashes. Even Armstrong fell twice. The American, 22 in three weeks' time, denies that he is the pretender to the kingdom of Greg LeMond.

'I am not trying to live up to what he has done,' Armstrong said. 'Greg has achieved wonders for our sport in America and if I can keep the sport growing I will be happy. He has won this title twice. This is the first for me. He has won three Tours de France but I don't consider myself a Tour rider.'

The comparison started when Armstrong placed second in the 1992 Championship of Zurich in his second week as a professional. They increased when he won a stage on his Tour de France debut.

Stephen Roche, riding his last world championship, was among the 'name' riders who retired but his fellow-Irishman, Sean Kelly, battled through to be 49th, some five minutes behind Armstrong. Kelly may now decide it is time to bow out after 18 years.