National and world champion cyclist, three-time Olympian, renowned humanitarian, role model, cancer survivor, and now five-time winner of the Tour de France, Lance Armstrong is clearly one of the most celebrated and charismatic contributors to the sports world.

  From avoiding crashes to suffering from dehydration to driving up to an epic victory atop Luz-Ardiden to riding 33+ mph in the pouring rain - it all paid off today as Lance and Team USPS presented by Berry Floor drove the 148 men left in the peloton home to Paris. There was plenty of early-on celebrating as the parade of riders rolled steadily through the French countryside. This, after a high-speed train transfer following yesterday's amazing TT battle in Nantes. No surprises whatsoever - the main men enjoyed the day, the sprinters battled in the 2 intermediate sprints, and then there was the usual massive circuit racing along the Champs-Elysees.

  Not only was the Green Jersey being contested between McEwen, Cooke, and Zabel, but the prestige of winning the final stage is not to be discounted either. While for Lance and gang the end could not come soon enough - they just wanted to get to the finish safely - the fast men on front were rocketing around the Champs dragging along everyone in their wake at speeds approaching 40 mph! When the day, and the Tour, were finally done, it was Jean-Patrick Nazon taking the stage, and a great win for France - Baden Cooke nips in to reclaim the Green Jersey from McEwen - and Lance Armstrong has joined a very elite group with his 5th Tour de France victory. He made world headlines in Paris on July 25, 1999 with the most stunning come back ever in the history of sport, but the personal side of this resounding triumph brought Lance's life and career full circle.

  In 1996, he was diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer. He was given the chance to fully appreciate the blessings of good health, a loving family and close friends. Lance described his bout with cancer as a "special wake-up call." He heeded the call to activism by becoming a spokesperson for testicular and other forms of cancer and by forming the Lance Armstrong Foundation within months of his diagnosis. His autobiography It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life was recently released and a motion picture of his life story is currently in development. What is undeniable, however, is that Lance has already won the most important race of his life. Perhaps the words that capture his indomitable spirit the best are his own: "It's ironic, I used to ride my bike to make a living. Now I just want to live so that I can ride.

TOPICS: Motivation, Inspirational, Success

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