updated 11:50 p.m. ET June 21, 2009

NEVADA CITY, Calif. - Lance Armstrong has won the Nevada City Classic, a challenging one-day race in the Sierra Nevada foothills.

Armstrong finished ahead of third-place teammate Levi Leipheimer on the repeated 1.1-mile loop through the historic mining town. More than 15,000 fans cheered on the seven-time Tour de France winner on Sunday.

Armstrong only committed to the Nevada City Classic five days earlier as he prepares for another run at the Tour after a 3½-year absence from cycling. He finished 12th in the Giro D’Italia last month, and his son, Max, was born June 5.

“What a great Nevada City Classic,” Armstrong said in a posting on his Twitter account. “I managed to get the win, Levi Leipheimer was 3rd. HARD race. The crowds? Electric...”

Also on NBCSports.com Rosenthal: Steelers’ struggles could sink their playoff hopes Circling the Bases: Dodgers unlikely to land Halladay Inside the Irish: Clausen reportedly involved in fight Opinion: So far, Nowitzki is NBA’s MVP  |  Fan Ranker Twitter: Follow us @nbc_sports

MORE FROM OTHER SPORTS

Other sports Section Front

Man pleads not guilty in Andrews stalking case   3 Sacred Heart lacrosse players accused of rape Autopsy set for boxer who died after Philly bout Astana cycling team on the brink after new demands Armstrong’s new team announces lineup Kimbo Slice to make UFC debut Dec. 5   Slideshow: Top 20 fighters in the world DRF: Goldikova to target unprecedented 3rd BC Mile   Tony Hawk’s back for a ‘Ride’   Video: Globetrotters set to entertain troops Other sports Section Front   Add Other sports headlines to your news reader: