updated 8:56 a.m. ET July 26, 2005

PARIS - One last time, “The Star-Spangled Banner” rang out over the Champs-Elysees in honor of Lance Armstrong.

One last time, on the podium against the backdrop of the Arc de Triomphe, the cancer survivor who became the greatest cyclist in Tour de France history slipped into the leader’s yellow jersey Sunday. This time, it was the winner’s jersey, for an unprecedented seventh consecutive year in the world’s most grueling race.

He held his yellow cap over his heart as the American anthem played, and his twin 3-year-old daughters, Grace and Isabelle, wore matching yellow dresses.

“Vive le Tour! Forever,” Armstrong said.

Vive Lance, the once but not future champion.

It was the end of Armstrong’s amazing career, and in retiring a winner he achieved a rare feat in sports — going out on top. He said his decision was final and that he walks away with no regrets.

“I’m finished,” Armstrong told a motorcycle-borne TV reporter as he rode a victory lap of the Champs-Elysees, waving to the crowds and accompanied by another rider waving the Stars and Stripes.

On Monday, he’ll be on a beach in the south of France, “with a beer, having a blast,” he said.

Before that, though, he couldn’t resist a parting shot at “the people who don’t believe in cycling, the cynics and the skeptics” who suspect that doping is rife and fueled his dominance of the past seven years.

“I’m sorry you don’t believe in miracles. But this is a hell of a race,” he said. “You should believe in these athletes, and you should believe in these people. I’ll be a fan of the Tour de France for as long as I live. And there are no secrets — this is a hard sporting event and hard work wins it.”

Race organizers afforded the 33-year-old Texan the unprecedented honor of speaking from the podium. And that came after an unusual ending to the overall race he comfortably won by more than 4½ minutes.

With the pavement slick from rain, and Armstrong comfortably ahead, he was declared the winner with 30 miles to go. The rare decision was made rather than risk having a mad dash to the finish in treacherous conditions.

Slide show   The 2005 Tour See images from Lance Armstrong's seventh straight Tour de France victory.

Riders were still racing at the time, with eight laps of the Champs-Elysees to complete, and the stage competition continued.

Alexandre Vinokourov of Kazakhstan eventually won the final stage, with Armstrong finishing safely in the pack to win the Tour by 4 minutes, 40 seconds over Ivan Basso of Italy. The 1997 Tour winner, Jan Ullrich, was third, 6:21 back.

“What he did was sensational,” Ullrich said.

Looking toward a Tour without him, Armstrong said to his challengers, “It’s up to you guys.”

One hand on his handlebars, the other holding a flute of champagne, Armstrong toasted his teammates as he pedaled into Paris to collect his crown. At different points, he held up seven fingers — one for each win — and a piece of paper with the number 7 on it.

MORE FROM TOUR DE FRANCE

Tour de France Section Front

Contador defied all, including Lance Armstrong lambastes Contador on Twitter Contador's reign on Tour expected to last In his return, Lance shows a more human side Contador says he ‘never had admiration’ for Lance Astarloza facing 2-year ban after positive B test Opinion: When it counted, Armstrong came through NYT: In the end, France is in love with Lance Spanish Vuelta gets more TV coverage in US   Slideshow from the 2009 Tour de France Tour de France Section Front   Add Tour de France headlines to your news reader: