Armstrong wins 7th straight Tour de France
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-07-25 06:27

Wet weather rained on his victory parade. Three of his teammates slipped and crashed negotiating a bend shortly before they crossed the River Seine. Armstrong, riding just behind, braked and skidded into his prostrate riders support riders but did not fall, putting his right foot to the road to steady himself.

His teammates, wearing special shirts with a band of yellow on the right shoulder, recovered and led him up the Champs-Elysees at the front of the pack.

Organizers then announced that they had stopped the clock because of the slippery conditions.

Vinokourov surged ahead of the main pack in a sprint finish to take the honor of winning the stage on the Champs-Elysees. He had been touted as one of Armstrong's main rivals at the start of the Tour on July 2, but like others was overwhelmed by the Texan.

Vinokourov beat Australia's Bradley McGee and Fabian Cancellara to the line, and thrust his arms into the air. His ride vaulted him from sixth to fifth in the overall standings, overtaking American Levi Leipheimer.

"It was a victory of courage and panache," said Vinokourov, who also won a stage in the Alps. "It is magnificent. I don't know what to say."

In retiring on the winner's podium, against the backdrop of the Arc de Triomphe, Armstrong managed a rare feat in sports _ going out on top. He has said that his decision was final and that he was walking away with "absolutely no regrets."

Armstrong's departure begins a new era for the 102-year-old Tour, with no clear successor. The American's riding and inspiring comeback from cancer attracted new fans _ especially in the United States _ to the quintessentially French race.

Millions turned out each year, cheering, picnicking and sipping wine by the side of the road, to watch him flash past in the race leader's yellow jersey, the famed "maillot jaune."

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