by Justin Davis

PARIS, April 28, 2009 (AFP) – American Lance Armstrong has performed a dramatic u-turn and will race in New Mexico’s Tour de Gila in a bid to hone his form for the Giro d’Italia which begins on May 9, his team confirmed on Tuesday.

It means Astana team rider Armstrong, who will race at the April 29-May 3 event on an individual basis due to International Cycling Union (UCI) regulations, will compete for the first time since breaking his collarbone in Spain last month.

Astana team spokesman Philippe Maertens told Bicycle.net Tuesday: “Lance is currently flying back to Colorado but will head out to New Mexico straight after. The decision to race at the Tour de Gila was made only this morning.”

Armstrong’s participation in the New Mexican event was under a cloud because of confusion over Pro Tour teams competing in national-level races.

Normally teams like Astana are not allowed to compete in national-level events, such as the Tour de Gila.

However after talks between USA Cycling and the UCI, which governs the sport worldwide, it became clear that Armstrong and Astana teammates Levi Leipheimer and Chris Horner could compete.

It had been reported earlier on Tuesday that race organisers were furious with the UCI over the possible absence of Armstrong, whose presence will help promote the race significantly.

Contacted by AFP, the UCI said it was them who informed USA Cycling of a loophole in their own rules that effectively paved the way for the Astana trio to compete in New Mexico.

A UCI spokesman said: “It was actually the UCI who told USA Cycling about the existence of a rule within their own regulations, which allows three riders from the same professional team to compete wearing neutral jerseys.

“USA Cycling were unaware of this.”

Such rules have been applied in other events, such as the Jaco Bay cycling classic race in Australia, where some of the competing Pro Tour riders wear the shirts of local or national teams.

Astana spokesman Maertens said as a result Armstrong would likely wear either his Livestrong shirt, or one emblazoned with Mellow Johnny’s, a bike shop of which the 37-year-old American is part owner.

Maertens added: “Racing in New Mexico is ideal as far as preparations for the Giro d’Italia go. He was originally scheduled to race at the Tour de Trentino but that finished last week.

“This way Lance goes into the Giro not long after competing.”