Associated Press

Paris, July 24:

Lance Armstrong closed out his amazing career with a seventh consecutive victory in the Tour de France — a little earlier than expected. Because of wet conditions, organisers sto-pped the clock as Armstrong and the main pack entered central Paris. Although riders were still racing, with eight circuits to complete, organisers said that Armstrong had officially won.

Alexandre Vinokourov of Kazakhstan eventually won the final stage, with Armstrong finishing safely in the pack to win the Tour by more than four minutes over his closest challenger.

The stage started as it has done for the past six years — with Armstrong celebrating and wearing the race leader’s yellow jersey. One hand on his handlebars, the other holding a flute of champagne, the 33-year-old Texan toasted his teammates as he pedaled into Paris to collect his crown. He held up seven fingers — one for each win — and a piece of paper with the number 7 on it.

His sixth win last year already set a record, putting him ahead of four other riders. Frenchmen

Jacques Anquetil and Bernard Hinault, Belgian Eddy Merckx and Spaniard Miguel Indurain all won five Tours. Armstrong’s new record of seven wins confirmed him as one of the greatest cyclists ever, and capped a career where he came back from cancer to dominate the sport’s most prestigious and taxing race. Armstrong’s last ride as a professional — the closing 144.5-km 21st stage into Paris from Corbeil-Essonnes — was not without incident. In retiring on the winner’s podium, he 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.