Lance Armstrong has marked his return to competitive sport by finishing second in the Panama half ironman.
The seven-time Tour de France winner, who retired from professional cycling last year, clocked an overall time of three hours, 50 minutes and 55 seconds.
“I like to suffer a bit and today was little over the top, but it's great to be back”Lance Armstrong
The triathlon event in Panama City comprised a 1.9km swim, 90km cycle and 21km run. Armstrong wants to qualify for October's world championships.
"I need a challenge in my life," he said. "I need some stuff to do."
The American, who has battled against testicular, brain and lung cancer during his career, was leading the event going into the final leg.
He was overtaken late on by New Zealander Bevan Docherty, a gold medal winner in the Olympic triathlon at the 2004 Athens Games.
"I like to train," Armstrong explained at the end of the competition.
"I like to suffer a bit and today was little over the top, but it's great to be back."
The next stage of Armstrong's comeback is the Ironman France in June, as he bids to compete in the Hawaiian world championships in the autumn.
