BB FANS

Sun 25 July, 2004 19:02

By Francois Thomazeau

PARIS ([url=http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=553397§ion=news]Reuters[/url]) - Lance Armstrong has made the Tour de France his private property, winning cycling's most gruelling race for a record sixth time.

"The win one Tour is a dream. To win six is just unbelievable", said the American on Sunday, who returned from a near fatal cancer in 1999 to win the first of an unprecedented series of Tour victories.

"The Tour is my pal," added the Texan after a lap of honour on the Champs Elysees.

The American crossed the line at the back of a split bunch of 147 riders left in the Tour after three weeks and 3,500 km of racing, at the end of the 163-km last stage from Montereau to Paris won by Belgian Tom Boonen.

German Andreas Kloeden was second overall, six minutes and 19 seconds behind the U.S. Postal team leader and Italian Ivan Basso was third, 6:40 adrift.

"The Tour de France is the most beautiful race in the world. For me, for cycling, for my team, for my new sponsor Discovery Channel, I cannot think of not doing another year on the Tour de France," Armstrong told French television.

"We'll see..." he added.

Yeah, it's a record alright, but I can't help thinking that if Merckx had concentrated solely on the Tour and not the Spring/Autumn Classics and other national tours, not to mention the Worlds then he probably would've won 10 Tours . Today's top pros only concentrate on the Tour because it's the one race the outside world ever really take an interest in.

But, fair play, what an inspiration to cancer sufferers everywhere. That has to be congratulated.

It's not just an inspiration to cancer sufferers, it's an inspiration for everyone. Just goes to show how far guts and determination can take you.

yeah, on yer bike, panto!