Tens of thousands of spectators lined the soggy Parisian streets to cheer on the American athlete as he pedalled his way into the cycling record books during his final race before retirement.
"This is a great sporting event. I'm a fan of the Tour de France for as long as I live," said Armstrong, who became the first winner ever to address the crowd from the championship podium.
"Vive le Tour, forever."
American Lance Armstrong signals seven with his hands to symbolize his seven straight Tour de France triumphs. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
Armstrong's victory came earlier than expected Sunday. Wet conditions forced organizers to stop the official race clock as the main pack entered Paris during the 21st and final stage of the three-week competition.
The cyclists continued riding around the final eight-lap Champs-Élysées circuit even after the clock stoppage, but the race took on more of a ceremonial feel since there was no way Armstrong could lose the championship.
Armstrong won the 2005 Tour by four minutes and 40 seconds over second-place rider Ivan Basso of Italy. German Jan Ullrich was third overall, more than six minutes behind the champion.
Last year, Armstrong became the first cyclist ever to win six consecutive Tour championships, surpassing Spain's Miguel Indurain, who notched five straight victories starting in 1991.
Armstrong, 33, has now made seven the new standard.
He is now also the oldest Tour champion in the post-Second World War era.
Armstrong's final ride as a professional provided one nail-biting moment. Three of his Team Discovery Channel teammates slipped and crashed as they turned around a bend shortly before crossing the River Seine.
Armstrong had to brake and swerve to avoid the trio of fallen riders. He was able to steady himself with his right foot before continuing.
After race officials stopped timing the last laps, Armstrong fell back of the front pack to ensure he made it safely across the finish line without incident.
Alexander Vinokourov of Kazakhstan eventually won the 144.5-km final stage. He placed fifth overall.
The seven straight Tour titles for Armstrong is an impressive feat made all the more remarkable considering all the obstacles he's overcome to get to this point.
He was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1996 that had spread to his lungs and brain, leaving the Texan with less than a 50 per cent chance of survival.
After surgery and rounds of chemotherapy, Armstrong not only returned to his sport, but also raced straight to the top to become a dominant force and inspirational sports figure.
