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CNN Live Sunday
Lance Armstrong Wins Record Tying 5 Straight
Aired July 27, 2003 - 18:16 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.
SOPHIA CHOI, CNN ANCHOR: Lance armstrong is sipping champagne, celebrating the sweet taste of victory today after doing something many people thought he couldn't, winning his fifth Tour de France. CNN's Patrick Snell says the win cements Armstrong's reign as the king of cyclists.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PATRICK SNELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Lance Armstrong chose to tour St. Teliere (ph) to once again write himself into the history books. It's record equaling fifth straight title. It makes the 31-year-old cancer survivor one of the greatest cyclists of all time.
Scince the race began in 1903, apart from Armstrong and Spain's Miguel Indurain, just three other riders have won the tour five times. The American eventually triumphing here over the '97 winner, Germany's Jan Ullrich.
LANCE ARMSTRONG (through translator): It takes a little bit of luck, a little bit of luck. There are many things that have to go right in order to win the tour. It's not easy. It's complicated.
SNELL: Unlike recent tours, Armstrong showed signs of vulnerability this year. The Texan only really secured this title in a rain-soaked time trial on the penultimate day when he managed to stay on his saddle while Ullrich skidded and crashed ending his battle to slash Armstrong's lead. Once again, his huge strength of character and resolve coming to his rescue.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He deserves so much credit. Especially this one. Number 5 was, I think, his most difficult. And -- but, you know, the centennial Tour de France, made it almost more exciting the way it finished. Not until yesterday's time trial was it really signed, sealed and delivered. So I'm very happy for Lance. He's an ex-teammate and a good friend.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Lance is an inspiration. He's an incredible athlete. He's the greatest athlete living at the moment, period.
SNELL: This tour tested Armstrong to the full. Never has his winning margin here been so slight. More success next year, and an unprecedented six Tour de France title will be his. In Paris, I'm Patrick Snell.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired July 27, 2003 - 18:16 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOPHIA CHOI, CNN ANCHOR: Lance armstrong is sipping champagne, celebrating the sweet taste of victory today after doing something many people thought he couldn't, winning his fifth Tour de France. CNN's Patrick Snell says the win cements Armstrong's reign as the king of cyclists.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PATRICK SNELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Lance Armstrong chose to tour St. Teliere (ph) to once again write himself into the history books. It's record equaling fifth straight title. It makes the 31-year-old cancer survivor one of the greatest cyclists of all time.
Scince the race began in 1903, apart from Armstrong and Spain's Miguel Indurain, just three other riders have won the tour five times. The American eventually triumphing here over the '97 winner, Germany's Jan Ullrich.
LANCE ARMSTRONG (through translator): It takes a little bit of luck, a little bit of luck. There are many things that have to go right in order to win the tour. It's not easy. It's complicated.
SNELL: Unlike recent tours, Armstrong showed signs of vulnerability this year. The Texan only really secured this title in a rain-soaked time trial on the penultimate day when he managed to stay on his saddle while Ullrich skidded and crashed ending his battle to slash Armstrong's lead. Once again, his huge strength of character and resolve coming to his rescue.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He deserves so much credit. Especially this one. Number 5 was, I think, his most difficult. And -- but, you know, the centennial Tour de France, made it almost more exciting the way it finished. Not until yesterday's time trial was it really signed, sealed and delivered. So I'm very happy for Lance. He's an ex-teammate and a good friend.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Lance is an inspiration. He's an incredible athlete. He's the greatest athlete living at the moment, period.
SNELL: This tour tested Armstrong to the full. Never has his winning margin here been so slight. More success next year, and an unprecedented six Tour de France title will be his. In Paris, I'm Patrick Snell.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
