Magnificent seven for Lance

Lance Armstrong has been confirmed as the winner of the Tour de France for the seventh time by organisers even though the race is still continuing.

Atrocious race conditions led the race committee to order that the clock be stopped on the first of eight scheduled circuits of the Champs Elysees.

At that point the peloton still had 50km to race and there will still be a sprint finish for stage honours.

However, the ruling in effect confirms Armstrong as race winner in his last ever professional race as a cyclist.