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In the end, France is in love with Lance

Country that hated 7-time Tour winner now has grown to respect him

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Photos: 2009 Tour de France

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  1. Terrific Tour trio

    Alberto Contador, center, celebrates winning his second Tour de France on Sunday, July 29, 2009. At left is Andy Schleck, who finished second, and Lance Armstrong, who finished third. (Lionel Bonaventure / AFP - Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation

  2. Signed, sealed, delivered

    Overall leader Alberto Contador signs his autograph for a fan on a yellow jersey before the start of the 21st stage Sunday. (Christophe Ena / AP) Back to slideshow navigation
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    Family man

    Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong is greeted by his children, from left, twin sisters Grace and Isabelle, son Luke, mother Linda and girlfriend Anna Hansen, holding their son Max, as he steps down from the podium after the 21st stage. Armstrong will return to the Tour next year. (Christophe Ena / AP) Back to slideshow navigation

  4. On the Mark

    Mark Cavendish sprints to the finish line with teammate Mark Renshaw before winning his sixth stage victory Sunday. “I can’t go home from this Tour being disappointed — I won six stages,” he said. (Pascal Pavani / AFP - Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation

  5. Tour triomphe

    Alberto Contador, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, rides past the Arc de Triomphe during the 21st stage Sunday. (Bas Czerwinski / AP) Back to slideshow navigation

  6. Standing apart

    Astana team rider Alberto Contador prepares for the last stage of the Tour de France, between Montereau-Fault-Yonne and Champs-Elysees in Paris on Sunday. (Ian Langsdon / EPA) Back to slideshow navigation
  7. Alberto Contador of Spain, left, Lance Armstrong, center, and Andy Schleck of Luxemburg ride on Saturday during the 20th stage between Montelimar and Mont Ventoux. (Joel Saget / AFP - Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
  8. The pack of riders pass a forest fire during the 20th stage Saturday. (Nicolas Bouvy / EPA) Back to slideshow navigation
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  9. Juan Manuel Garate of Spain celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the 20th stage Saturday on Mont Ventoux. (Laurent Rebours / AP) Back to slideshow navigation
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  10. Mark Cavendish of Great Britain sprints to the finish line on Friday, July 24, winning the 19th stage of the Tour de France. Finishing just behind Cavendish are Thor Hushovd of Norway, left, and Gerald Ciolek of Germany, right. (Lionel Bonaventure / AFP - Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
  11. The pack of riders passes a pasture during the 19th stage of the Tour de France between Bourgoin-Jallieu and Aubenas, southern France, on Friday, July 24. (Christophe Ena / AP) Back to slideshow navigation
  12. The pack of riders cycles during the 19th stage of the Tour de France on Friday, July 24. (Eric Gaillard / Reuters) Back to slideshow navigation
  13. Children wave French and Spanish flags as the pack passes during the 19th stage of the Tour de France on Friday, July 24. (Christophe Ena / AP) Back to slideshow navigation
  14. Andreas Kloden of Germany begins the 18th stage of the Tour de France in the Annecy, Alps region of France, on Thursday, July 23. (Christophe Ena / AP) Back to slideshow navigation
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  15. Thor Hushovd of Norway rides in a breakaway on Wednesday, July 22 during the 17th stage of the Tour de France which ran between Bourg-Saint-Maurice and Le Grand Bornand. (Joel Saget / AFP - Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
  16. Lance Armstrong is greeted by Vincenzo Nibali of Italy as he crosses the finish line ending the 17th stage of the Tour de France on Wednesday, July 22. (Nicolas Bouvy / EPA) Back to slideshow navigation
  17. The pack of riders cycles in the Alps during the 17th stage on Wednesday, July 22. (Ian Langsdon / EPA) Back to slideshow navigation
  18. Riders cycle under a tunnel during the 16th stage of the 96th Tour de France cycling race between Martigny and Bourg Saint Maurice, July 21, 2009. (Eric Gaillard / Reuters) Back to slideshow navigation
  19. Spanish cycling team Euskatel-Euskadi (Eus)'s Mikel Astarloza of Spain jubilates on the finish line as he wins on July 21, 2009 the 159 km and sixteenth stage of the 2009 Tour de France cycling race run between Martigny and Bourg Saint-Maurice. (Lionel Bonaventure / AFP - Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
  20. Swiss cycling team Cervelo (CTT)'s Heinrich Haussler of Germany signs an autograph for fans on July 21, 2009 in Martigny (Switzerland) before the start of the 159 km and sixteenth stage of the 2009 Tour de France cycling race run between Martigny and Bourg Saint-Maurice. (Pascal Pavani / AFP - Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
  21. American seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, right, sets the pace for his teammate Alberto Contador of Spain, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, left, as they climb Grand-Saint-Bernard pass during the 16th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 159 kilometers (98.8 miles) with start in Martigny, Switzerland and finish in Bourg-Saint-Maurice, Alps region, France, Tuesday July 21, 2009. (Christophe Ena / AP) Back to slideshow navigation
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    A Saint Bernard dog licks the cheek of Astana rider Yaroslav Popovych of Ukraine as his team mate Lance Armstrong (R) of the U.S. looks on before the start of the 16th stage of the 96th Tour de France cycling race between Martigny and Bourg Saint Maurice, July 21, 2009. (Eric Gaillard / Reuters) Back to slideshow navigation

  23. Into the horizon

    The pack passes near Vuisternens-Devant-Romont, Switzerland, during the 15th stage Sunday. (Christophe Ena / AP) Back to slideshow navigation

  24. Great race, great seat

    Alberto Contador rides before winning the stage and getting the yellow jersey of overall leader on Sunday. (Lionel Bonaventure / AFP - Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation

  25. Flag wearers

    Fans hold Swiss flags on Sunday during 15th stage. (Lionel Bonaventure / AFP - Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation

  26. Almost there

    Lance Armstrong rides in the final stretch Sunday with Carlos Sastre of Spain, center, and Cadel Evans of Australia. (Lionel Bonaventure / AFP - Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation

  27. Done for the day

    Vladimir Efimkin of Russia takes off his jersey as he abandons the race during the 15th stage Sunday. (Bas Czerwinski / AP) Back to slideshow navigation

  28. The new leader

    Astana rider Alberto Contador of Spain celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the 15th stage Sunday. (Ian Langsdon / EPA) Back to slideshow navigation
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  29. Clearing a path

    Police and bodyguards clear the way for seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, center, before the start of the 14th stage of the Tour de France on Saturday, July 18, 2009. The race began in Colmar and finished in Besancon, eastern France. (Bas Czerwinski / AP) Back to slideshow navigation
  30. The pack rides past naked fans on July 18, 2009 during the 199 km and fourteenth stage of the 2009 Tour de France cycling race run between Colmar and Besancon. Russian cycling team Team Katusha (KAT)'s Serguei Ivanov of Russia won ahead of French cycling team AG2R-La Mondiale (ALM)'s Nicolas Roche of Ireland and Swiss cycling team Cervelo (CTT)'s Hayden Roulston of New Zealand. AFP PHOTO JOEL SAGET (Photo credit should read JOEL SAGET/AFP/Getty Images) (Joel Saget / AFP - Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation

  31. Bye, George, it's a breakaway

    American George Hincapie, right, looks back at his fellow breakaway riders during the 14th stage Saturday. Hincapie came 5 seconds short of taking over the overall leader's yellow jersey. (Christophe Ena / AP) Back to slideshow navigation
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    Related story Tour spectator dies after hit by motorcycle

    Tragic moment

    French police divert the riders after a crash during the 14th stage Saturday. A 61-year-old woman (in red on the road) crossing the road was killed when she was hit by a police motorcycle assisting riders. (Charles Platiau / Reuters) Back to slideshow navigation

  33. Podium poser

    Five-time Tour de France winner Bernard Hinault, right, pushes away a fan who entered the podium without invitation on Saturday. (Pascal Pavani / AFP - Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
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  34. Russian to victory

    Russia's Serguei Ivanov celebrates after winning the 14th stage Saturday. “It’s an amazing victory,” he said. “I didn’t have any more air. I was just 2 minutes, breathing, breathing ... I was very tired." (Lionel Bonaventure / AFP - Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
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    Outracing the car

    Cervelo team rider Heinrich Haussler celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the 13th stage on Friday, July 17, 2009. (Christophe Karaba / EPA) Back to slideshow navigation
  36. The pack of riders cycles during the 13th stage of the 96th Tour de France cycling race between Vittel and Colmar, Friday, July 17. (Bogdan Cristel / Reuters) Back to slideshow navigation
  37. The pack speeds down Col du Platzerwasel as fog obscures the background during the 13th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 200 kilometers (124.3 miles) with start in Vittel and finish in Colmar, central France, Friday, July 17. (Christophe Ena / AP) Back to slideshow navigation
  38. Astana rider Lance Armstrong of the US eats as he cycles in the rain during the 13th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Vittel and Colmar, in France, Friday, July 17. (Nicolas Bouvy / EPA) Back to slideshow navigation
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    An American in France

    A spectator in costume runs ahead of the pack of riders during the 13th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Vittel and Colmar, in France, Friday, July 17. (Nicolas Bouvy / EPA) Back to slideshow navigation

  40. Child's play

    Children cheer the pack of riders from a roadside pool during the 12th stage on Thursday, July 16. (Charles Platiau / Reuters) Back to slideshow navigation

  41. Devilish delight

    German fan "El Diablo" jumps as leading men ride in a breakaway in the 12th stage. (Joel Saget / AFP - Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation

  42. Like fine wine

    The pack rides past people belonging to "Pouilly Fume" (French regional wine) brotherhood on Wednesday, July 15. (Joel Saget / AFP - Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation

  43. Field dressing

    Jose Joaquin Rojas of Spain is treated by Tour de France doctor Gerard Porte, left in white shirt, after a crash during the 11th stage.. (Bas Czerwinski / AP) Back to slideshow navigation
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    Petals and pedals

    Riders pass a field of sunflowers during Stage 10, from Limoges to Issoudun on Tuesday, July 14. (Jasper Juinen / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation

  45. Going dark

    Grischa Niermann of Germany and Team Rabobank signs in with an antenna fixed to his helmet for the start of the radio-free 10th stage. Officials did not allow radios and earpieces for the 10th and 13th stages this year. (Jasper Juinen / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
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  46. Tunnel vision

    The pack of riders cycles during the 10th stage between Limoges and Issoudun. (Ian Langsdon / EPA) Back to slideshow navigation
  47. Related story This Tour ‘probably not’ his last, Lance says

    Not done yet

    Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong rides during the ninth stage Sunday. Armstrong, who remained in third place after the stage, said he might consider competing in the Tour next year. (Joel Saget / AFP - Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation

  48. Seay of cycles

    The pack of riders cycles up the Tourmalet mountain during the ninth stage. (Ian Langsdon / EPA) Back to slideshow navigation
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  49. Chasing yellow

    Rinaldo Nocentini, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, and Vladimir Efimkin speed down Tourmalet pass during the ninth stage Sunday. Nocentini maintained the lead after Sunday's stage. (Christophe Ena / AP) Back to slideshow navigation

  50. Peak performance

    The pack of riders cycles in the Pyrenees mountains during the eigith stage of the Tour de France between Andorre-La-Vieille in Andorra and Saint-Girons in France on Saturday, July 11, 2009. (Nicolas Bouvy / EPA) Back to slideshow navigation
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  51. Waiting for the parade

    Fans wait for the riders during the eighth stage. (Lionel Bonaventure / AFP - Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
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    Looking strong

    Lance Armstrong, right, and teammate Alberto Contador ride up the Col d'Agnes during the eighth stage Saturday. Contador is second, Armstrong third in the overall standings. (Jasper Juinen / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation

  53. Charging downhill

    The breakaway group with Cadel Evans, bottom right, speeds down Envalira Pass in the Pyrenees during the eighth stage. (Christophe Ena / AP) Back to slideshow navigation

  54. Sanchez celebrates

    Luis Leon Sanchez celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the eighth stage. (Patrick Hertzog / AFP - Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation

  55. Behind bars?

    Jerome Pineau of France waits in the anti-doping medical testing facility after the eighth stage. (Bogdan Cristel / Reuters) Back to slideshow navigation

  56. Field of dreams

    The peloton rides during the seventh stage between Barcelona and Andorre Arcalis on Friday, July 10. (Bogdan Cristel / Reuters) Back to slideshow navigation
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    Astounding Astana

    The Astana team, including former winners Lance Armstrong and Alberto Contador, proved again in Stage 7 that is far and away the best team at this year's race. (Ian Langsdon / EPA) Back to slideshow navigation

  58. Passing a test

    Lance Armstrong survived the first mountain stage of his Tour comeback in the seventh stage, dropping into third place but staying with the peloton. (Jasper Juinen / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
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    French toast

    Brice Feillu of France celebrates on the finish line before winning the seventh stage. (Pascal Pavani / AFP - Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation

  60. Rivalry brewing?

    7-time Tour winner Lance Armstrong rides with 2007 winner and Astana teammate Alberto Contador during Stage 6. Both are considered two of the favorites to win this year's race. (Joel Saget / AFP - Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
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  61. Biking Barcelona

    The pack of cyclists passes the Triumphal Arch in Barcelona near the end of the sixth stage. (Albert Olive / EPA) Back to slideshow navigation
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  62. Coming together

    The pack merges after splitting to pass a roundabout during the 112.7-mile sixth stage. (Christophe Ena / AP) Back to slideshow navigation

  63. God of thunder

    Norwegian Thor Hushovd of Swiss cycling team Cervelo celebrates as he wins the sixth stage. (Pascal Pavani / AFP - Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation

  64. Heading straight for 8?

    Lance Armstrong was less than a second behind leader Fabian Cancellara during Stage 5 on Wednesday, July 8. (Joel Saget / AFP - Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
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  65. Follow the leader

    Thomas Voeckler, right, cycles ahead of Albert Timmer en route to winning the fifth stage. (Eric Gaillard / Reuters) Back to slideshow navigation

  66. Wait your turn

    The pack waits for a train to pass during the 122-mile fifth stage. (Christophe Ena / AP) Back to slideshow navigation

  67. Leader of the pack

    Saxo Bank team rider Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland wears the leader's yellow jersey while cycling with the pack across the finish line of the fifth stage. (Ian Langsdon / EPA) Back to slideshow navigation

  68. The team to beat

    Astana riders Levi Leipheimer, left, and Lance Armstrong, second from right, roll toward victory in the team time trial in the fourth stage Tuesday. The victory moved Armstrong to less than a second behind race leader Fabian Cancellara. (Bas Czerwinski / AP) Back to slideshow navigation

  69. In fine form

    Caisse d'Epargne team riders round a bend during the 4th stage on July 7. (Christophe Karaba / EPA) Back to slideshow navigation
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  70. Yellow streak

    Overall leader Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland sprints to the finish with Team Saxo Bank teammates during stage four. (Pascal Pavani / AFP - Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation

  71. On the Mark

    Columbia-High Road leader Mark Cavendish of Great Britain sprints toward victory in Stage 3 on Monday, July 6, in Marseille. Cavendish beat Cervelo rider Thor Hushovd of Norway, left. (Lionel Bonaventure / AFP - Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation

  72. Tunnel vision

    The pack passes through a tunnel during the third stage, stretching 122 miles from Marseille to La Grande-Motte in southern France. (Bas Czerwinski / AP) Back to slideshow navigation

  73. Boatload of bikers

    The pack ride in front of the old port of Marseille during the third stage. (Ian Langsdon / EPA) Back to slideshow navigation
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    Leading a legend

    Team Saxo Bank rider and race leader Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland, right, cycles ahead of Astana rider Lance Armstrong during the third stage. (Bogdan Cristel / Reuters) Back to slideshow navigation

  75. Center of attention

    Lance Armstrong is surrounded by fans at his team bus in Marseille, before the start of the third stage. (Lionel Bonaventure / AFP - Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation

  76. Riding high

    The pack starts the second stage of the Tour de France in Monaco on Sunday, July 5. (Patrick Hertzog / AFP - Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
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    A hot time of it

    Lance Armstrong, center, rides among the pack during the second stage on Sunday, July 5. Armstrong said it was "hard to hydrate" because of the heat. (Christophe Ena / AP) Back to slideshow navigation

  78. That's nun-sense

    French nuns cheer the riders during the second stage of the 96th Tour de France on Sunday. The 116-mile stage ran to Brignoles, France. (Eric Gaillard / Reuters) Back to slideshow navigation
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    Feeling the heat

    Overall Tour leader Fabian Cancellara sprays himself with water during the second stage Sunday. “The heat was like you were baking bread. ... It was terrible,” Cancellara said on French TV. (Christophe Ena / AP) Back to slideshow navigation

  80. On the Mark

    Mark Cavendish celebrates winning the second stage of the Tour on Sunday. This is his third Tour but he has never finished. He said his goal was to win a stage and complete the three-week race, which ends July 26 in Paris. (Ian Langsdon / EPA) Back to slideshow navigation

  81. It's easy being green

    Mark Cavendish of Britain wears the sprinter's green jersey on the podium after winning the second stage of Tour on Sunday. (Nicolas Bouvy / EPA) Back to slideshow navigation
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  82. Commence de France

    Seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong races along the road. Armstrong and his Astana team began the annual event Saturday, July 4 with a time trial in Monaco. (Jasper Juinen / Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
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    Game face

    Armstrong prepares to start an individual time trial during the first stage of the Tour de France. Armstrong started well, but finished 40 seconds back of the leader in 10th place. (Jean-Paul Pelissier / Reuters) Back to slideshow navigation

  84. Goldeneye

    The starting stage of the Tour de France is reflected in the sunglasses of a rider. The riders faced a 15.5 kilometer time trial around Monaco. (Koen Van Weel / EPA) Back to slideshow navigation

  85. Like clockwork

    Swiss cycling team Cervelo rider Carlos Sastre begins his time trial. (Lionel Bonaventure / AFP - Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation

  86. Fabulous Fabian

    Saxo Bank team rider Fabian Cancellara pedals to the finish line. Cancellara beat 2007 Tour de France champion Alberto Contador by 18 seconds to win the opening stage. (Christophe Karaba / EPA) Back to slideshow navigation
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    Not cashing in

    Team Katusha leader Alexandre Botcharov rides past Monte-Carlo Casino. (Patrick Hertzog / AFP - Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation

  88. Kloden in

    Astana rider Andreas Kloden sprints at the end of the individual time-trial. Kloden clocked in 19:54, just 22 seconds behind the leader. (Pascal Pavani / AFP - Getty Images) Back to slideshow navigation
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    Smiling in second

    Alberto Contador wearing the best climber's dotted jersey, throws flowers to wellwishers on the podium after taking a second place in the first stage of the Tour de France. (Laurent Rebours / AP) Back to slideshow navigation

  90. Fast start

    Fabian Cancellara kisses the overall leader's yellow jersey on the podium after winning the first stage of the Tour de France. (Bas Czerwinski / AP) Back to slideshow navigation

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