Lance Armstrong has inspired millions across the globe with his excellence on the bicycle and his comeback from testicular cancer. Today, the 33-year-old Texas native finished and won his final Tour de France, his record seventh straight victory in the world's most famous bike race.
Armstrong won this year's competition by more than 4 1/2 minutes and he was in control for most of the final week of the competition.
'I'm finished,' Armstrong told a reporter riding on a motorcycle shortly after he finished the race.
He was later given the rare privilege of addressing the audience from the podium.
'I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles. But this is a hell of a race,' he said. 'You should believe in these athletes, and you should believe in these people. I'll be a fan of the Tour de France for as long as I live. And there are no secrets — this is a hard sporting event and hard work wins it.'
Ivan Basso of Italy finished second overall in the race. Jan Ullrich, Armstrong's main rival, was third, 6:21 back.
President Bush called to offer congratulations to Armstrong, calling his performance 'a great triumph of the human spirit,' and adding that the victory was 'a testament not only to your athletic talent, but to your courage.'
Armstrong's girlfriend, singer Sheryl Crow was at the finish line waiting for him. 'This is the way he wanted to finish his career, so it's very emotional,' Crow told reporters.
One of the writers asked Armstrong what his legacy will be. 'I can't be in charge of dictating what it says or how you remember it,' he answered. 'In five, 10, 15, 20 years, we'll see what the legacy is. But I think we did come along and revolutionize the cycling part, the training part, the equipment part. We're fanatics.'
Armstrong went out on top, a rare accomplishment for an elite athlete. He is the only man to ever win seven straight Tour de France races. His legacy, both as an inspiration to cancer survivors and to bicycle racers, is assured.
