Armstrong loses Adelaide key

Adelaide - The Australian city of Adelaide has stripped Lance Armstrong of its highest honour - the key to the city - following the removal of his seven Tour de France titles.

Adelaide had a small but important part in Armstrong's career. The Tour Down Under, based in the city, was the first event he contested when he made a comeback to professional cycling in 2009, and his third appearance in the race in 2011 was also his last on cycling's ProTour.

Adelaide city councilors voted 6-1 on Tuesday to strip Armstrong of the key to the city, making him the first of 33 recipients to have the honor withdrawn.

The US Anti-Doping Agency recently reported extensive evidence that Armstrong used performance-enhancing drugs during all seven of his tour victories.