Lance Armstrong, clad in yellow again, coasted into Paris on Sunday, winning his record seventh consecutive Tour de France, an accomplishment requiring more will, more focus and more unrelenting energy than any other in sports. (AP)

Lance Armstrong, who has hinted he might enter politics after retiring from competitive cycling, virtually ruled Texas after winning an unprecedented seventh Tour de France on Sunday.

Across his home state, people gathered around television sets and cheered him on as the American crossed the line in the peloton at the end of the 144.5-km final stage on the Champs Elysees in Paris.

The most successful Tour rider in history has made big news throughout Texas over the last three weeks and on Sunday the state's newspapers blared his victory in banner headlines on their Internet editions.

"It's official: Lance Armstrong makes it a magnificent seven," reported the Houston Chronicle.

In Austin, which Armstrong considers his home town, crowds watched the race on giant outdoor television screens put up outside a central city grocery store and many people filled sports bars for the telecast that began at 06:30 local time.

Urged by the city's mayor, many fans wore yellow, the traditional color of the Tour winner's jersey, to show their support for Armstrong. At one store, people wearing yellow clothing were given discounts on their purchases.

Armstrong is so popular in Austin that the city has named a cycling route in his honor.

A local woman, Terese Wier, has written and recorded a song entitled "Je T'aime Lance" and featuring the line: "Who knew a blue-eyed boy from Texas would ride rings around the world?"

COMPELLING COMEBACK

Avid cyclist Mike Errico said it was not only Armstrong's success that endeared him to people but also his personality and his compelling comeback after being diagnosed with testicular cancer in 1996.

"He's a heck of a nice guy from Austin who overcame cancer to become the greatest cyclist in history," he said. "This is great for America, for Texas and for Austin."

Armstrong, 33, grew up in a Dallas suburb before moving to Austin where he now lives part-time. He also has a home in Spain and is often seen with his girlfriend, rock star Sheryl Crow, at her Los Angeles residence.

The American has said he would spend more time in Austin once he retired from competition. When asked by journalists, he replied he had not ruled out a run for public office, although such a move is not expected over the next few years.
While Texans celebrated Armstrong's final Tour victory, they were also saddened by his departure from the sport he dominated.

"I am so proud of him and he seems like such a wonderful guy, but I am also very sad that we won't get to see him in the Tour de France next year," said Houston businesswoman Maria Gama.

"He's been a great representative for Texas." 

(Agencies)