Lance Armstrong is an American cyclist. He won the Tour de France a record of six consecutive times, from 1999 to 2004 after his recovery from cancer. He was awarded "Sportsman of the Year" and "Best Male Athlete" from time to time.

Lance was born in Texas and was raised by his mother, Linda Mooneyham, whose spirit and independence influenced him very much. His mother married Terry Armstrong when he was three years old.

He began his sporting career as a triathlete and later showed talent in racing bikes. At 17, Lance was invited to train with the Junior National Cycling Team. To get away for six-weeks, he had to withdraw from his high school. With his mother's support, he went to train with the team. He graduated from another high school in the following spring.

After winning some championships in 1991 and 1992, Lance turned professional in 1992. The following year, he won his first major victory, the World Road Championships in Oslo, Norway. His successes continued.

In October 1996, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer that had been spreading to his lungs and brain, with a less than fifty-percent chance of survival. The treatment for the cancer has a known side effect of dramatic reduction in lung function. This would mean the end of his cycling career. However, by 1998, he was ranked fourth in the Spain cycling event. In 1999, he won his first Tour de France.

His serious training in Spain and France, extremely high pedaling speed, ability to maintain high speed for climbs and for long distances, and his aggressiveness during mountainous stages were the key reasons for his success.