By Saw Lidong • UrbanWire

Coincidence or otherwise, the number 6 seems to be synonymous with many great sporting achievements this era. Just before the turn of the new millennium, Pete Sampras finished a record of that many years (1993-1998) atop the ATP tennis rankings. 2003 saw Michael Schumacher win an unprecedented 6th Formula 1 Driver's Championship title. And just last month, I managed to endure 6 minutes of a cricket game on TV before falling asleep on the couch; my best previous attempt had been 4.

After the conclusion of the Tour de France 2004 on Jul 25, American cyclist Lance Armstrong has been added to this illustrious list of "6-ers". Armstrong battled back from advanced testicular cancer early in his career to capture his 6th consecutive Tour de France title; a feat many experts declared will not be repeated by any other individual in the near future. However, as anyone who caught this on telly in Singapore will tell you, his journey to the title wasn't a smooth one, with former champion and long time rival, T-Mobile Team's Jan Ullrich as well as many other veteran cyclists challenging his reign throughout the duration of the tour.

If it was any initial indication of his determination to win the tour, Armstrong, powered himself within less than a second of the eventual prologue stage winner, Fabian Cancellara. But as the tour proper began, it became evident that the French plains were not his strength. During those stages, Armstrong spent a considerable amount of time around his US Postal teammates and the peloton [riders clumped together for protection], conserving energy and avoiding several rider-eliminating accidents due to bad weather, while still staying within reach of the leaders the whole time. Teamwork eventually paid off as they won the team time-trial stage and Armstrong claimed his first yellow jersey of the tour.

At stage 5, heavy rain forced the peloton to exercise caution, and it was Frenchman Thomas Voeckler of Brioches La Boulangere who took full advantage. He had managed to sprint ahead before the roads became too wet, securing himself a coveted yellow jersey. Over the next 8 stages, the Maillot Jaune [French for yellow jersey, and sometimes referring to the wearer of the jersey], through sheer grit and tenacity, courageously defended his overall time advantage, keeping the French press busy reporting on this young local upstart's monumental achievements. But as the tour entered the mountainous regions of southern France, chinks in Voeckler's armor began to show with Armstrong carving away a huge chunk of his lead. Although Voeckler would push on to retain his yellow jersey, it was only be a matter of time before Armstrong, who at this stage was starting to formally contest the lead again, took over.

That moment came during when Armstrong finished stage 15 a full minute and a half ahead of Voeckler. From then on, even in the remaining individual time trial stages, without the assistance of his teammates, Armstrong continued to extend his advantage, while his main rivals, Team CSC's Ivan Basso and Ullrich began to show signs of fatigue. By the time the peloton reached Paris, the final stage of the tour, Armstrong had already amassed a lead of more than 6 minutes over his closest opponent. With this immense lead, Lance Armstrong accorded himself a victory lap on the roads of Paris leading to the finish before casually cruising across line with plenty of time remaining.

Jan Ullrich, who has been among the top 2 finishers at the Tour de France for the past 7 years, had to settle for 4th place after being out performed by his T-Mobile teammate, Andreas Kloden who finished 2nd overall. Ivan Basso, who had been lurking behind Armstrong for most of the tour, faltered over the last 2 individual time-trials and dropped to 3rd.

Still, the day belonged to only one very special individual. As Lance Armstrong collected the winner's trophy for the 6th time, it proudly marked his comeback from cancer and the ultimate triumph of the human spirit over crippling odds. Judging from the relative ease at which he succeeded this time round, the already legendary Lance should go on to win the Tour de France a 7th consecutive time next year. Lance might very soon be spelt as Y-E-L-L-O-W.