American Lance Armstrong won his fourth consecutive Tour de France race in Paris today after the 20th and final stage from Melun to Paris was won in dramatic fashion by Australian Robbie McEwen. The 30-year-old Texan becomes only the fifth rider in the Tour's 99-year history to have won it at least four times, after Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain - all five-time winners.
The US Postal ace finished the three-week race with a 7min 17sec lead over Spaniard Joseba Beloki, second this year after finishing third in 2000 and 2001. Lithuanian Raimondas Rumsas finished third overall, 8:17 adrift of Armstrong, who spent a total of 82 hours 5 minutes 12 seconds in the saddle.
McEwen, the Australian champion who rides for Lotto, finished the 144km stage after 10 laps of the Champs Elysees ahead of compatriot Baden Cooke and Frenchman Damien Nazon. The sprinter's green jersey was won by McEwen - who scooped 35 points for the stage win - winning it from German Erik Zabel. Laurent Jalabert won the best climber's award and Ivan Basso the best young rider's white jersey.
Filed by Shane Murray
