PARIS -- Lance Armstrong, who battled his way back from cancer in 1999, won his seventh straight Tour de France victor Sunday on the rain-slicked streets of the Champs Elysees in Paris.

With about eight laps to go in the 92nd Tour de France, slippery conditions forced race organizers to stop the clock as Armstrong and the main pack pedaled into Paris. It was then that Armstrong, who carried a 4 minute, 40 second lead over Italy's Ivan Basso, officially won the 2005 Tour de France.

Armstrong took back the yellow jersey after Stage 10 and never relinquished it, taking the race over with a commanding performance in the first Alpine stage.

He captured just one stage during this year's Tour -- Saturday's individual time trial in Stage 20.

Jan Ullrich of Germany ended in third place in the overall standings, 6 minutes and 21 seconds behind Armstrong.

Kazakhstan's Alexandre Vinokourov won Sunday's Stage 21, a trek of 90.5 miles, with a time of 3 hours 40 minutes 57 seconds. Thor Hushhovd, of Norway, won the green jersey as the Tour's best sprinter with 194 points.

Armstrong's heroic battle with cancer coupled with his tour titles, transformed the Texas native into one of the elite and most recognizable athletes in the world.

The 33-year-old cycling superstar of the Discovery Channel team flashed seven fingers, held a piece of paper with the number seven on it and sipped champagne with about 30 miles remaining in the race.

Minutes earlier, Armstrong avoided a crash with his teammates to keep his pedals moving. He skidded into the riders and used one leg to balance his bike. No members of the Discovery Channel team were injured and Armstrong later cruised to his 83rd career yellow jersey.

On the winner's podium in Paris, the champ held his yellow cap over his heart as the American national anthem played. His three children joined him on the podium. His twin daughters wore yellow dresses -- the color of the race leader's jersey.

Armstrong thanked his team and congratulated his closest challengers -- telling them the future of the race is in their hands.

He also delivered a parting shot at those who've accused him of doping, saying "I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles."

Armstrong had contemplated not racing in this year's Tour, but announced during the winter that he would compete. His wise decision earned him his 22nd career stage win and an unprecedented Tour de France record.

Stage 21 Results

1 Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) T-Mobile Team 3.40.57
2 Bradley McGee (Aus) Française Des Jeux
3 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Fassa Bortolo
4 Robbie McEwen (Aus) Davitamon-Lotto
5 Stuart O'Grady (Aus) Cofidis, Le Credit Par Telephone
6 Allan Davis (Aus) Liberty Seguros-Würth
7 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Credit Agricole
8 Baden Cooke (Aus) Française Des Jeux + 2.25
9 Bernhard Eisel (Aut) Française Des Jeux
10 Robert Förster (Ger) Gerolsteiner

General Classification

1 Lance Armstrong (USA) Discovery Channel 86.15.02
2 Ivan Basso (Ita) Team CSC + 4.40
3 Jan Ullrich (Ger) T-Mobile Team + 6.21
4 Francisco Mancebo (Spa) Illes Balears-Caisse d'Epargne + 9.59
5 Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) T-Mobile Team + 11.01
6 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Gerolsteiner + 11.21
7 Michael Rasmussen (Den) Rabobank + 11.33
8 Cadel Evans (Aus) Davitamon-Lotto + 11.55
9 Floyd Landis (USA) Phonak Hearing Systems + 12.44
10 Oscar Pereiro Sio (Spa) Phonak Hearing Systems + 16.04