PARIS (voa) – American cyclist Lance Armstrong rode into history Sunday by winning the Tour de France, crossing the finish line in Paris for a record sixth time. His sixth title in six years elevated Armstrong above four great champions who won five times.
“I believe that the man who works the hardest is the man who deserves to win.” Lance Armstrong’s philosophy seems like a simple notion. His record-setting victory comes just eight years after the Texan was given less than a 50 percent chance of surviving a deadly form of testicular cancer that spread to his lungs and brain.
Last year, Armstrong equaled the record of five wins co-held by Frenchmen Jacques Anquetil and Bernard Hinault, Eddy Merckx of Belgium and Spaniard Miguel Indurain. Belgian rider Tom Boonen completed the 163-kilometer, 20th stage by winning the final sprint down the Champs-Elysees.
Armstrong cruised safely behind with the trailing pack to claim his crown. The American’s winning margin over second-placed German Andreas Kloden was 6 minutes and 19 seconds, with Italian Ivan Basso third, 6:40 back. Jan Ullrich of Germany was fourth, 8:50 behind Armstrong.
Australian Robbie McEwen captured his second green jersey for the points competition after having won it in 2002. Frenchman Richard Virenque won a record seventh polka dot jersey as the race’s best climber.
