Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Sunday

American Lance Armstrong Wins Tour de France for the Third Time

Aired July 29, 2001 - 17:05   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
STEPHEN FRAZIER, CNN ANCHOR: The world's toughest cycling event has been won for the third time by Lance Armstrong, a man who knows a little something about triumph over big obstacles. Armstrong won the Tour de France today after completing the 20th and final stage of the race, ending in Paris.

His win comes a few months shy of the five-year anniversary of Armstrong's diagnosis of testicular cancer. CNN "Sports Illustrated's" Patrick Snell joins us by telephone from Paris with more on today's big win -- Patrick.

PATRICK SNELL, CNNSI CORRESPONDENT: Stephen, it really has been a very special day for the 29-year-old from Texas. He is the first American to win this grueling race, which lasts for three weeks. He is the first American to win it in consecutive years -- three times in three years, he has won it.

And I can tell you, since he won the race a few hours ago, he has been spending time with his wife and young child, and just taking it all in slowly. He said Saturday that he will be back next year to defend his title, and he said, quite worryingly for a lot of his competitors, he said he wouldn't be looking to come in second place. He is still very determined, he's very happy.

As to how long he will go we don't know, but certainly next year he will be back to defend his title -- Stephen.

FRAZIER: Patrick, are you getting the sense of the French reaction to this win? You know, the earlier American, Greg LeMond, who also won this race, lived in France for a while, spoke French, was a little more of a favorite there among the French viewers of the race. How about Lance?

SNELL: That's right. I mean, this is a country that absolutely adores the sport of cycling and the Tour de France is very, very big here, and certainly Lance Armstrong has had to work hard to build up his relationship with the French public, but certainly the feeling on the streets of Paris today as he's coming into Champs Elysees, very, very warm, massive applause for him.

Lot of Americans in the crowd too, but a lot of the French people who really do appreciate what he has achieved, and I think over the last two or three years that rapport, that bond has grown bigger. And he is a very, very popular person with the French public. I do know that they have perhaps one little gripe, in that they do wish that sometimes he'd make perhaps more of an effort with the French language, but I guess you can always argue he lets his cycling do the talking -- Stephen.

FRAZIER: Patrick, as you know, this last day is usually a bit of a parade. He had the race won with an insurmountable lead. Last year, on this final day, somebody handed him a glass of champagne and he was drinking that on the Champs Elysees as he pedaled, you know, at a moderate pace. Did you see anything like that this time?

SNELL: No, he has been very careful this year to ensure that there are no last-minute slip-ups. The race was basically sewn up after his terrific performance through the mountains, the Alps in particular he emerged very strong. And I think his belief, deep down, he has had this belief within himself that the race is won, but he has got a lot of respect for his fellow cyclists and he has paid them a lot of respect, and he wants to make sure that he approaches everything as professionally as he can.

He has been relaxed the final stage, he was relaxing, chatting with his fellow cyclists. There is a growing bond there as well, and they have nothing but respect for what the American has achieved -- Stephen.

FRAZIER: Well, it's late in the day for you, Patrick Snell. We hope you have a chance for a glass of champagne, and we're grateful for you bringing us up to date on that tour win. Patrick Snell, from CNN "Sports Illustrated," reporting.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com