Criterium kicks off Armstrong's return to pro cycling on Sunday

The wait is almost over. Lance Armstrong's official return to professional cycling finally comes Sunday with the Cancer Council Classic.

The 30-lap, 51km criterium in Adelaide is a prelude to Australia's Tour Down Under that runs Tuesday through Sunday. Armstrong has admitted that he'd rather not come out of 3 1/2 years of retirement in a crit.

Schedule

The Cancer Council Classic rolls out from 7 to 8:10 p.m. Sunday in Adelaide; that's 3:30 to 4:40 a.m. Sunday on the East Coast and 12:30 to 1:40 a.m. on the West Coast.

The usual suspects, such as CyclingNews, will offer updates throughout the race, and Versus will broadcast a 1/2-hour highlight show from 4-4:30 p.m. (East Coast) and 1-1:30 p.m. (West Coast) on Sunday.

Press conference

The Cancer Council Classic is not officially part of the Tour Down Under, but members of the peloton are required to race in it. In a press conference on Saturday, Armstrong said:

“It wouldn't be my first choice, but it might not be a bad thing. I've looked at the map of the course and it looks pretty straight forward. I believe it's changed a bit since last year when there were a lot of different turns. So it looks on paper to be something you can roll around a little easier on.

“It sort of goes full circle, I mean I started back in the late '80s doing criteriums in the United States. So we're back into it. The main thing is to try and stay out of trouble, stay out the front and avoid the drama.”

Cancer charity

The Cancer Council, South Australia's leading cancer charity, is the official charity partner of the Tour Down Under. Armstrong says he's returning to pro cycling to promote the cancer fight around the world. That effort starts in Australia.

The classic comprises 30 laps around a flat 1.7km course in Rymill Park.

Go here to see the Tour Down Under race times converted to US time zones, as well as the Vs. broadcast schedule — “Versus TV schedule for Tour Down Under.”

Read more from his last press conference before the race at CyclingNews.  Also “O'Grady to lead Aussia Charge.” And while his racing comeback is right on schedule, Armstrong's pledge to make available his anti-doping program on a website is not yet available — “Armstrong coy on doping web site.”