Madame Tussauds New York has launched a new figure of US cycling champion Lance Armstrong, alongside a new Time Trial Experience which gives visitors the chance to ride a virtual Tour de France circuit.

The waxwork of the six-times Tour de France winner has been positioned on a bike, dressed in the competition’s famous lead position yellow jersey.

Visitors to the Times Square attraction can also ride a virtual Tour de France time trial with Armstrong – courtesy of a Tacx CycleForce I-Magic machine. Top speeds are then displayed and compared with Armstrong’s.

To celebrate the new addition, New Yorkers were offered free pedicab rides – with the 20 participating drivers wearing copies of Lance’s yellow jersey – on 26 May.

In March, the UK-based operator of Madame Tussauds, the Tussauds Group, was bought by private equity firm Dubai International Capital (DIC) for £800m (US$1.5bn) from Charterhouse Capital.

In addition to Madame Tussauds NY, the group’s portfolio also includes Madame Tussauds London, Alton Towers, Thorpe Park and Chessington World of Adventures in the UK plus a number of other theme parks and attractions across the world in Las Vegas, Germany, Amsterdam and Hong Kong. Details: www.nycwax.com