CAPE TOWN, South Africa — Lance Armstrong has finished ninth in the Cape Argus race after helping a teammate get a podium finish.

Armstrong was part of a breakaway group that attacked near the end to set up a sprint for Team RadioShack rider Daryl Impey. But a strong headwind slowed the attack and Impey ended up third behind winner Malcolm Lange of South Africa.

"What a cool ride/race," Armstrong wrote on his Twitter feed. "Wind was howling out there."

Lange won Africa's biggest race for the third time, finishing the 68-mile course in 2 hours, 39 minutes, 55 seconds.

Armstrong was taking part after helping to raise funds for a charity organization in South Africa this week. About 35,000 riders competed in the event.

"Hats off to all the riders out there," Armstrong wrote. "Won't be easy in that wind."