March 23 (Bloomberg) -- Lance Armstrong crashed near the end of the first stage of Spain’s Vuelta Castilla y Leon cycle race and was helped into an ambulance today in a setback to his preparation for July’s Tour de France.

The record seven-time champion of the French race didn’t get back on his bike after being caught in a pile-up involving more than 10 cyclists on day one of the event.

He sat on a grass bank before being helped into the ambulance. Dressed in his light-blue Astana team uniform, he grimaced as he was treated by medical staff in the back of the vehicle, television pictures showed.

The 37-year-old Texan was using the five-day race to prepare for his comeback at the Tour de France after a three- year absence. He came out of retirement in January to raise awareness about cancer and because he still enjoys racing.

To contact the reporter on this story: Alex Duff in Madrid at aduff4@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: March 23, 2009 11:45 EDT