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Lance Armstrong wins unprecedented seventh Tour

The Star-Spangled Banner was played once again in the capital of France as cycling legend Lance Armstrong finished his professional riding career with a magnificent performance in the 102nd year of the most famous cycling competition in the world.

Protected by Discovery Channel teammates on his way to victory and retirement, Armstrong finished the last of 21 daily stages and mounted his final podium after a day of intermittent cold rain. He stood there with his three young children, his son Luke, almost 6, and twin daughters Isabel and Grace, 3. Both girls wore yellow dresses to go with their father`s jersey while the boy was in blue with a yellow logo.

In a brief speech after a French military band played "The Star Spangled Banner" and the American flag was raised on the Champs-Elysees, Armstrong praised the two riders flanking him on slightly lower steps, Ivan Basso and Jan Ullrich. Basso, the Italian leader of CSC from Denmark, finished second by 4 minutes 40 seconds and Ullrich, the German leader of T-Mobile from his homeland, was third, 6 minutes 21 seconds behind.

"It`s really a dream podium," the Texan said. He called Basso "not only my rival but a special person. It`s tough to race against a friend."

The Italian beamed as he held his young daughter, Domitilla.

Ullrich, who has a young daughter too but broke the family atmosphere by leaving her at home, also came in for praise from Armstrong. He then thanked his teammates, team officials and a host of others. "Vive le Tour," he said. "Forever."