Tour de France

Updated September 27, 2017 | Infoplease Staff

The 86th Tour de France (July 3-25) ran 20 stages plus a prologue, covering 2,287 miles starting in Puy-du-Fou, passing through the Alps and the Pyrenees and finishing on the Avenue des Champs-Elysees in Paris.

Against formidable odds, American Lance Armstrong, 27, rode to his first Tour de France victory in a time of 91 hours, 32 minutes and 16 seconds. His time was seven minutes, 37 seconds ahead of runner-up Alex Zuelle of Switzerland. Spain's Fernando Escartin took third, completing the course 10 minutes, 26 seconds behind Armstrong.

Less than three years before Armstrong rode down the Champs-Elysees for the victory, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. The cancer then spread to his lungs and his brain and doctors gave him only a 50 percent chance of survival. He underwent two operations and extensive chemotherapy and began his comeback in early 1998. He is only the second American to win cycling's premier event.

Team Behind
1Lance Armstrong, USAU.S. Postal
2Alex Zuelle, SWIBanesto7:37
3Fernando Escartin, SPAKelme10:26
4Laurent Dufaux, SWISaeco14:43
5Angel Casero, SPAVitalicio Seguros15:11
6Abraham Olano, SPAOnce16:47
7Daniele Nardello, ITAMapei17:02
8Richard Virenque, FRAPolti17:28
9Wladimir Belli, ITAFestina17:37
10Andrea Peron, ITAOnce23:10

CyclingOther Worldwide Champions
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