Armstrong pulls out of race

Austin - Lance Armstrong has pulled out of the Leadville Trail 100 mountain bike race in Colorado, a high-altitude race he won in record time last year.

Armstrong spokesman Mark Higgins said on Tuesday that the cyclist is still feeling lingering effects of a hip injury suffered in a crash early in the Tour de France. Higgins said Armstrong also wants to spend time with his family before his children begin school.

Saturday's race starts 10 500 feet and climbs 2 000 more feet. Armstrong won last year in a record time of 6 hours, 28 minutes, 50 seconds.

Armstrong also has been dealing with renewed questions about drug use during his career since ex-teammate Floyd Landis made allegations against him and other riders this spring.

Federal investigators have been looking at lawsuits containing old accusations against Armstrong and have reached out to question his sponsors.