Lance Armstrong - 7-Time TDF Champion

Lance Armstrong won the Tour de France with a record-breaking seven consecutive years, from 1999 to 2005. Tour de France is considered to be the most demanding sport in terms of physical endurance. Usually about 2,500 kms in 23 days over 21 stages with each stage running over 100kms and about 6hrs to finish.

Early Career

Lance Armstrong is not just another sports prodigy. He started his career as a triathlete and was the number one ranked in the 19 and under age group. At a tender age of 16, Armstrong became a professional triathlete and became the national sprint-course triathlon champion in 1989 and 1990 at age 18 and 19, respectively.

In 1991 Lance Armstrong won the the U.S. amateur championship in bike racing. It soon became clear that his greatest talent was found, in bicycle racing.

In 1993, Armstrong captured his first Tour de France stage victory.

A Cancer Survivor

On October 2, 1996, Lance Armstrong was found to have a testicular cancer and it had already spread to his lungs, abdomen and brain. He underwent surgery on his brain tumors and had his diseased testicle removed.

The Comeback

After he was treated, Armstrong returned to competitive cycling and finished 4th in the Tour of Spain in 1998. In 1999, he won his first Tour de France until 2005. A record braking seven consecutive years and considered to be the greatest cyclist of all time.

Lance Armstrong, became active in helping and giving hope to thousands of people undergoing cancer treatment and he was also the founder of Livestrong Foundation. He was then considered the "greatest sportsman of all time."