Lance Armstrong is in the unusual position this week of helping drive the “train” rather than benefitting from its horsepower.

The record seven-time Tour de France champion is at the Tour Down Under with the new Radioshack team, whose main objective is a stage win.

Given this has again developed into a sprinter’s Tour, and Armstrong is not yet fully race-fit, he is trying to help set up Radioshack’s Belgian sprinter Gert Steegmans for the high-speed bunch finishes.

That means being part of the leadout train that each sprinter’s team will form near the end of each stage, with their fast man at the back until he reaches top speed and then hurtles past them to the finish.

In the midst of Armstrong’s record seven Tour de France titles, his then-US Postal team became known as The Blue Train for their navy-blue uniforms and the disciplined work they did for him.

“I’m a little like a fish out of water there,” Armstrong said of his leadout duties.

“The TGV at the Tour (de France) is probably the last train I’ve been on.

“I’m either 30 or 40 back or trying this stuff up front – it feels a lot safer up front, believe it or not.

“It’s a lot faster and you have a bit of bumping, but it’s crazy when you’re 30-40-50 back, then you’re just terrified.

Steegmans only managed 30th in Wednesday’s second stage as Tour leader Andre Greipel won again but the Belgian is equal-second overall.

Armstrong remains encouraged with his form, which is better than this time last year when he started his comeback at the Tour.

But despite his impressive ride in Sunday’s Cancer Council Classic, he is well off full fitness.

“(It’s) not too bad, slightly better than last year, I think it’s still just a shock for almost all of us who haven’t raced,” he said.

“Then you get in a race, the intensity of the race, the heat came on today and then you get those little steep walls – you’re going to feel them.

“You know, all in all, not bad.”
Armstrong is expecting a tough day in stage three, which ends with a nasty circuit at Stirling in the Adelaide Hills.

“Stirling is tough, it’s not a big explosion, it’s more a finish of attrition, where every kilometre you lose 20 guys and at the end you don’t have many people there – and of course, the finish is at the top,” he said.

“I remember last year, being in a little break before that and then paying a big price at the end, you’re just completely exposed.

“It’s a painful finish, no two ways about it, and everybody in the bike race tomorrow is going to suffer.”

© AAP 2012

Enjoy sports? Enjoy a bargain? All Sports Online has your favourite sporting brands at up to 70% off. Online only, premium quality sporting goods and merchandise at discounted prices. Get a deal now.