Lance Armstrong has done it again! Sporting the famous yellow jersey that symbolizes the overall race leader, Armstrong cycled into Paris on Sunday, winning the 100th Tour de France for the fifth year in a row!

The 2,130-mile-long Tour de France is the world’s most famous bicycle race. It spans three grueling weeks and requires amazing amounts of speed, endurance, and strength. 

Riding High in Paris

Only four other men have won the Tour five times. But just one other man has won it five years straight. With his win, Armstrong tied Miguel Indurain of Spain, who held the record for winning five straight Tours. This year's Tour de France started July 5 and ended July 27. Armstrong rode his bike a total of 83 hours, 41 minutes and 12 seconds. 

Overcoming Great Odds

Armstrong overcame sickness, crashes, and tough competition to beat second place winner Jan Ullrich of Germany, winner of the 1997 Tour de France, by just 61 seconds. He had a stomach flu before the race that was so bad he almost didn’t make it to France. He also suffered bruises after crashing on the second day of the race. Finally, his back brakes were not working properly during one of the most difficult climbs of the race. 

Through it all, Armstrong managed to pull off an amazing victory and hopes to do it again next year. "I love cycling. I love my job and I will be back," the champion said in an interview on NBC’s Today show. 

The road to his first Tour de France race was a long one. In 1996, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer that had spread to his stomach, lungs, and even his brain. Armstrong stopped racing and underwent treatment. Nobody thought that he would be able to get back on a bike, let alone win the Tour de France. But he went on to win the 1999 Tour and every race since!

Good Sports

This year’s Tour was full of sportsmanship and passion. When Armstrong fell off of his bike, Ullrich, in a sign of respect, stopped pedaling to wait for Armstrong to get back on his bike. Also, American Tyler Hamilton broke his collarbone in the first stage of the race, but decided to finish the Tour anyway. He went on to win fourth place! 

While Armstrong celebrates, fans of the Tour are already thinking about next year and whether Lance will go for a record-breaking sixth win in France!

http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/news/story/0,6260,471428,00.html