History will show that Lance Armstrong won seven Tours de France on the trot between 1999 and 2005. But what the records won't show are the subtle differences in each fantastic victory - of the differences (and similarities) in the build-up to each Tour, as well as the way in which Lance's growing stardom affected each and every race he rode after 1999. The records certainly won't show the almost manic way with which Lance set about bettering himself at each passing year, at perfecting an already-perfect game-plan by training longer and harder as age became his only challenger. And the records definitely won't show the huge emotional strains placed on him by competing at that level for so long as well as dealing with the cynical aspects of a sport that still refuses to accept some of its champions can become so without taking drugs.

That 1999 Tour-win catapulted Lance to stardom far beyond that which he had previously enjoyed and which was already big enough! His stardom bought him some highly-deserved fame and fortune, but it also bought recognition and wealth in similar amounts to a sport badly in need of a face-lift. The Tour itself benefitted the most when Lance's fame ensured the continuity of Nike as sponsor of the Yellow Jersey, and later attracted Power Bar and several other American corporations into the race. As each Tour-win was clocked up, analyzed and then discarded to the history books, so did the world's TV broadcasters move in, as well as book-publishers and Hollywood scriptwriters craving for a piece of the legend being built in front of their eyes. And the draw of Lance Armstrong breathed fresh life into races almost too small to be considered worthy of his presence there.

Races like Paris-Camembert or Circuit de la Sarthe in France, like the Vuelta a Murcia and Tour of Aragon in Spain - and especially the tiny, modest, but tough Volta ao Algarve in Portugal - all these races have benefited from the enormity that is Lance Armstrong, Tour de France winner and champion of the people. These were great years in everyones lives...let's celebrate them here.

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