Lance-factor puts Tour in spotlight

PARIS: Lance Armstrong missed out on an eighth Tour de France crown this year but, say rivals and admirers, his return to cycling's showpiece event has fired the sport's global profile into orbit.

The media's coverage of cycling in the United States is said to be up 80 percent after Armstrong ended his four-year hiatus to compete in this year's Tour.

After three weeks of epic racing, and a tense co-habitation with Astana teammate Alberto Contador Armstrong finished third overall behind the Spanish ace.