American Lance Armstrong has won the prestigious Tour de France cycling race for the fourth straight time, claiming the title by an overall margin of seven minutes and 17 seconds.
The Texan crossed the finish line on the Champs-Elysees in the main pack Sunday, wearing the bright yellow leader's jersey he has worn since taking control of the race 10 days ago. The 30-year-old cancer survivor becomes the first American to win the race four times, and is just one victory short of equaling the event record of five titles.
Spain's Joseba Beloki was second overall, while Raimondas Rumsas of Lithuania took third place, eight minutes and 17 seconds behind Armstrong. It was the American's second biggest winning margin since first taking the Tour in 1999 with a 7:37 advantage over Alex Zuelle of Switzerland.
The 20th and final stage of the race was won by Robbie McEwen of Australia, who also won the green points-leader jersey. His fellow-Aussie Baden Cooke was second, with Frenchman Damien Nazon finishing third in the 144-kilometer stage from Melun to Paris.