Landis wins Tour de France

A new American sports hero!

The winner of the 93rd Tour de France, Floyd Landis of the US. (AP/Bas Czerwinski)

The winner of the 93rd Tour de France, Floyd Landis, toasts with a glass of champagne as he pedals during the final stage in Paris, Sunday. (AP/Alessandro Trovati)

 

 

Landis finishes in yellow.

At 30 years-old, the man hailing from the small town of Farmersville in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, could well have another three or four Tours left in him, but much of that will depend on the results of his imminent hip replacement, with surgery expected some time this fall.

"I think this one should be dedicated to Andy Rihs, the boss of the team,"   said Landis.

"I'm a bit more relaxed [about the surgery] now with this victory. It would   have been much worse if I hadn't won the Tour because of an accident or whatever. I certainly know that I'll fight as long as it takes to come back next year, or the following year. Whatever it takes, I will do it to be here again, because it's a dream to me."

Standing on the Paris podium with his daughter Ryan, the final owner of the   maillot jaune couldn't have looked happier.

"From my perspective, we raced to win; as to how the race will be rated in   history, that is beyond my control," said Landis. "First of all, we raced conservatively, but then, because of the bad day I had, we had to completely change our approach. That's how I found out what I was able to do."

Why Americans are so good at winning the Tour de France

By  Chris Carmichael

Congratulation Floyd, you're a Tour de France Champion! For the eleventh time since 1986, the yellow jersey will be worn by an American rider on the Champs Elysees, which is absolutely astounding considering Americans only started racing the Tour in 1981. Of course, any country can produce a Tour champion, and two champions within a 20-year period could be a coincidence. But now, three American champions in 20 years has people asking: Why are American riders so successful at the Tour de France?