Supercyclist Lance Armstrong makes brief stop in Bangor Famous athlete accompanied by girlfriend, singer Sheryl Crow

BANGOR – Six-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong landed back on American soil Saturday, touching down for a brief stretch at Bangor International Airport.

After clearing customs on board the NetJet Gulfstream IV, the 32-year-old racing phenom joined his girlfriend – and reportedly now fiancee – singer Sheryl Crow on the tarmac at BIA for a brief respite after the long flight from Germany.

Armstrong shook hands with members of the flight crew and at times stood motionless on the tarmac. Wearing a black T-shirt and baggy shorts, Armstrong crossed his legs and stretched his hamstrings during part of his 30-minute stay in Bangor.

Crow, also dressed casually, was the first of the two out of the jet and stretched her arms skyward soon after stepping onto the tarmac.

The two stayed close together and held each other, with Armstrong getting a brief shoulder rub from Crow.

Airport officials were tight-lipped about the arrival and wouldn’t confirm it was Armstrong and Crow. In the past, Bangor International Airport officials have declined to comment on the comings and goings of well-known people out of deference to the celebrities, officials and dignitaries who have asked for anonymity, they said.

An official of U.S. Customs and Border Protection referred questions to the field operations office, which was not open for business on the weekend. A customs agent was seen boarding the jet while it was being refueled.

The flight carrying the two celebrities arrived shortly before 6 p.m. from Germany, where Armstrong raced in Buehl that same day. On Friday, Armstrong finished fifth during the exhibition Prague Grand Prix cycling race on Wenceslas Square in the Czech Republic, according to an official fan Web site of the racer.

It wasn’t clear what their final destination was, although Armstrong is from Texas. The 13-passenger jet taxied down the runway about 6:22 p.m. just before taking off.

A cancer survivor who has won a record-breaking six Tour de France races, Armstrong has become a highly visible advocate for cancer awareness and research. His mantra, “Live Strong,” has been emblazoned onto yellow wristbands that are being sold to raise money for the foundation.

Crow was seen wearing a yellow band on her right arm during her stopover in Bangor.

The couple has been the subject of speculation, with reports suggesting that Armstrong proposed to Crow after the Tour de France this summer, although officials for both Armstrong and Crow have declined to comment.