Lance Armstrong has said he is happy following his first mountain-top finish in four years after finishing 15 seconds behind winner Danilo Di Luca at the end the fourth stage of the Giro d'Italia.
Armstrong, nearer 38 than 37 and currently riding with his collar bone pinned with metal clasps after he suffered a fall at the Vuelta a Castilla y León in March, said: "I am happy with my performance.
"This was my first big climb since retiring. I had a good feeling and no collarbone pain at all."
A derailleur problem on the final 13.75 kilometre climb forced the American out the back of the lead group. The mechanical issue saw Armstrong lose time to team-mate Levi Leipheimer and eventual stage winner Di Luca of the LPR Brakes team.
"Of course, it was not a very difficult climb," Armstrong continued. "For Di Luca it was a perfect finish with the gradual climb. Ivan Basso, Di Luca, Stefano Garzelli and Damiano Cunego all looked very good.
"Today will be a better indication," he added. "It will be a long and hard day. We'll see. I don't know what to expect.
On his Twitter page, the seven-time Tour de France winner said: "Uphill finish. Legs weren't bad and made it almost the whole way. Came off a little at the top. Not bad for 1st big climb in first grand tour back and for coming back after the crash. Overall, I'm pleased. Team was amazing as well. All look good. Tomorrow-tough!"
Armstrong's injury and his three year retirement did not prevent him from staying with the favourites and he led with Yaroslav Popovych and Janez Brajkovic over the Croce d'Aune and onto the day's final climb of San Martino.
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