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Tuesday April 19 2005 11:32 GMT
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In pictures: Lance Armstrong's career
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You may know Lance Armstrong as a cyclist, but he started as a professional triathlete aged 16. That means swimming, cycling and running in one race.
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In 1993 Armstrong won 10 titles and became the youngest road racing World Champion in history.
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Armstrong got his first taste of Tour de France success in 1995 when he won the 18th stage of the great race.
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Tragedy struck in October 1996 when Lance was diagnosed with cancer and needed surgery and chemotherapy.
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Armstrong was given the all-clear in February 1997 and returned to racing in May 1998, winning several low-key races.
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Armstrong returned to Le Tour in 1999 and won four stages, becoming Tour de France champion for the first time.
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Armstrong became a dad in 2000 and added a second Tour de France title.
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Despite being in a car crash in the run-up to the Sydney Olympics in 2000, Lance recovered to win a bronze medal.
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A third consecutive Tour title came in 2001 and the following November Lance became a father again, this time to twins.
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Lance clinched the Tour de France for a fourth time in 2002 - with the help of his US Postal team-mates.
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Armstrong was the first American to win four straight Tours and was named Laureus World Sportsman of the Year in 2003.
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Armstrong triumphed again in 2003 for a fifth victory - something only four other riders have done.
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Lance bettered the five Tour wins of the cycling greats by sealing his record-breaking sixth Tour de France in July 2004.
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In April 2005, Armstrong called time on a 14-year career confirming: "Le Tour will be my last professional race"
Cyclist Lance Armstrong to retire
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