WASHINGTON, July 23 - President George W. Bush congratulated American cyclist Floyd Landis on Sunday on winning the Tour de France, saying he exhibited "amazing strength."

"Everybody's proud of you. You showed amazing strength and character," Bush said in a telephone call, White House spokeswoman Eryn Witcher said.

Bush, an avid mountain biker and sports fan, invited Landis and his family to tour the White House.

Landis sealed his victory by finishing third in Saturday's time trial, extending the American dominance in the grueling race after Lance Armstrong took the title seven consecutive times.