Armstrong, 37 claimed the 27-mile the Rocky Hill Roundup in Smithville, the finals of the Texas Cup Series mountain bike race Sunday by 48 seconds.

Armstrong rode early in 10th position, but then was part of a three-rider break in the reace in moderately steep single-track fire trails. When a slight gap opened, Armstrong took advantage and rode to an easy win.

Last weekend, Armstrong won the individual time trial was also victorious in the two-man team time trial and the Tour de Gruene, near his home is Austin, Texas.

Armstrong is scheduled to return to the pro road peloton, Jan. 20-25 in the Tour Down Under beginning in Adelaide, Australia.

Lance Armstrong

Armstrong, 37, who last month announced his return to competitive road racing, said Monday in a video on the web site of the Italian daily sports newspaper, La Gazzetta dello Sport, he will race in the 100th anniversary of the event called the “la corsa rosa” beginning May 9.

If Armstrong keeps to his previously announced pending schedule, he would also have another career first – a Grand Tour double – by competing in the Tour of Italy and Tour de France, which begins July 4 in Monaco.

Armstrong previously rode in the Tour of Spain, the final of three yearly Grand Tours (three-week races), in 1998. He finished fourth.

Details of the 2009 Tour of Italy route will be revealed in December.

Armstrong, the seven-time Tour de France winner, retired after winning his seventh consecutive title in July 2005. He will make his return to road cycling Jan. 20, 2009 at the Tour Down Under beginning in Adelaide, Australia. He’s also commited to race in the Tour of California, beginning Feb. 14 in Sacramento.