American cyclist Lance Armstrong, seven-time Tour de France and seventh in the Tour of California, was delighted with his performance and the victory of his teammate Levi Leipheimer in this test, but believes that "should lose weight to improve in the mountains ".

"I can not complain with the results or with how I found myself on the bike, but I still have to work. To improve in the mountains probably have to lose weight. I'm strong enough but I need to be lighter," Armstrong said, according reported version of the team, Astana.

The American, who had been inactive since winning his seventh Tour de France in 2005 and returned to racing in January at the Tour Down Under, finishing seventh overall in the Tour of California, 1 minute and 46 seconds behind the winner, Levi Leipheimer.

"None came with another expected to run to Levi. I think overall we're happy with how we are. If we compare with the February 22, any other year, I think we are ahead," he said.

Armstrong admitted, in spite of this, that to qualify for the Tour de France must work even to improve, especially to save weight. "To win the Tour you must be as strong and as light as possible. Need not necessarily be stronger, but lighter," he said.

Astana team manager, Belgian Johan Bruyneel, was also pleased with the result and the performance of Armstrong, in his opinion still needs time to reach the necessary level of competitiveness for the next Tour and until I finish the Giro may not know how far he can go.

"It would not accelerate the process. We have no hurry. He's in shape. With so many races and many training may return at the highest level, if not comparable to what was. But after two tests in stages the impression is very positive, better than I expected, "added Bruyneel.