July 25/99 11:51 am - It's Official: Armstrong Wins Tour

Posted by Editor on 07/25/99
 

Lance Armstrong has officially won the Tour de France, after an uneventful final stage from Arpajon to Paris, where the riders did the traditional 10 circuits around the Champs Elysees. There were a few breakaway attempts in the final kilometres of the stage, but the sprinters' teams brought things back together for the traditional gallop to the line. Australian Robbie McEwen (Rabobank) beat out Points Jersey holder Erik Zabel (Deutsche Telekom) at the line for his first ever stage victory. Silvio Martinello (Polti) was third, Stuart O'Grady (Credit Agricole) fourth and Carlos Da Cruz (Big Mat) fifth. Armstrong's winning margin: 7:37 over Alex Zulle, and 10:26 ahead of Frenando Escartin.

Stage 20 - Arpajon to Paris 143.5 km