Armstrong bows out with seventh Tour victory

[tocqueville]

Armstrong bows out with seventh Tour victory By Francois Thomazeau
43 minutes ago

PARIS (Reuters) - Lance Armstrong won an unprecedented seventh Tour de France on Sunday, closing the curtain on one of the most extraordinary cycling careers ever.

The American safely crossed the line in the peloton at the end of the 144.5-km final stage on the Champs Elysees.

The last climb in his career was to the podium, on which he stood next to second-placed Italian Ivan Basso and the rider he beat most often, Germany's Jan Ullrich.

The most successful Tour rider in history looked to the sky while the Star Spangled Banner was played for him for the seventh and last time.

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