Inside Lance Armstrong's hill-top fortress: Disgraced cyclist buys $4.3m hideaway in Texas (and it even has its own rope bridge to make a quick escape)

Fortress: Lance Armstrong's new $4.3million hill-top home overlooking Lake Austin, which he bought last week, has been described as a 'fortress for staving of the Zombie Apocalypse'

Clean lines: Mood lighting picks out the features on the home, which was designed by a local firm of architects

Escape route: Armstrong's latest purchase is not only out of town, but also includes a 200ft suspension bridge connecting it to a private boat house on the shores of Lake Austin.

The boathouse

Bargain struck: It is located in Austin's exclusive Rob Roy neighbourhood and was reportedly on the market for $5million, but Armstrong managed to seal the deal for $4.34million last week

Disgraced cycling champion Lance Armstrong has splashed out on a new $4.3million hill-top mansion in Texas described as a 'fortress'.

The seven-time Tour de France winner, who was last year exposed as a drugs cheat, bought the Lake Austin, Texas retreat after selling his home in central Austin.

He is perhaps seeking a lower profile after he was last year banned from sports for life and stripped of his titles by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.