The Texan rider has become the second American to retain the Tour crown, emulating the feat of three-time winner Greg LeMond.

Since overcoming testicular cancer over two years ago, Armstrong has gone from strength to strength.

But the American still rejects comparisons with the greats Eddie Merckx, Miguel Indurain, Jacques Anquetil, and Bernard Hinault.

These five-time winners have dominated the Tour de France over the years, and Armstrong says he has a long way to go before equalling their records.

So what do you think?

Can Armstrong stand shoulder to shoulder with Bernard the Badger, Eddy the Cannibal, "Big Mig" Indurain or "Maitre" Jacques Anquetil?

Is Armstrong one of the greats?

Lance has been supreme in the Tour for the last two years but I do not believe he is one of the true greats. If he manages to win the tour five times then yes, but he has a long way to go. People say that 'Big Mig' was not a true champion as he only concentrated on the Tour - in this day and age to be at a physical peak you must aim for specific events only. To win five Tours in a row is incredible - go for it Lance and show us what you can do.
Stewart House, England

Lance has proved that he is not just a great rider but also the new "patron" of the Tour - the other riders respect him and he leads as a leader should, from the front. He is tactically astute and rides with flair - for that reason and the fact that he has already won two Tours and been world champion, I think he has to be considered one of the greats.
Nick Lidell, UK

What Lance has achieved is beyond comprehension. It can be considered one of the greatest achievements in sporting history. But his return from cancer aside, he cannot yet be considered in the same league as Hinault, Merckx or Anquetil. These riders were great not because they won the Tour five times each, but because they won everything, dominating all events from one day classics to the big tours. It is also for this reason that I can't see how Big Mig, unsurpassed as he was in the Tour de France, can be considered one of the greats. Riding your whole season around one event is not what makes you great. Armstrong seems to realise this with his ambitions of winning Olympic Gold.
Greg Turner, UK

Armstrong is taking world cycling to a different level, not because of his natural talent but because of his training procedures. Before being diagnosed with cancer Armstrong was just another rider riding for Cofidis but on his journey doctors have improved his ventilation and strength and the results are evident. The others need to catch up or again be blitzed by Armstrong.
Cameron Thompson, UK

We can compare all we want, but there is one thing apparent: Lance Armstrong is the strongest man alive today, on a bike. Whether or not that changes is up to Lance. My feelings are one or two more wins and then retirement in order to be with his family. I don't think he takes anything for granted these days and wants to spend as much time as he can with them.
Monte Shaffer, USA

Cycling is not only Tour de France. Armstrong has reached the rank of the 15 great cycling legends of all times. But there is still a long way to be compared with the grand Merckx (more than 500 victories) or giants like Hinault, Coppi, Anquetil and then champions like Indurain, Bobet, Lemond, Van Looy and Bartali. He can be compared with the group: Fignon, Th�venet, Ocana... Hopefully Armstrong is still racing.
Lebon Didier, France (Brittany)

Perhaps not right now, but in a few years time we will probably regard Lance as one the cycling greats. We all respect Lance for his incredible comeback from Cancer, but if you take a look at his 'palmares', they don't compare with the likes of Hinault, Merckx, Coppi, etc, just yet. I have little doubt though, that he will go on to reach such heights.
Tony Brooks, UK

Awesome though Lance Armstrong's achievements are (on the bike and in his remarkable recovery from cancer), he is being judged on performances in the Tour de France. Not only did previous 'greats' ride and win races from Het Volk in February through to the Tour of Lombardy in the autumn, they also notched up successes in the other major tours. In order to rank alongside the likes of Indurain, Merckx etc, Armstrong needs to win a Giro or two and a couple of Vueltas. Perhaps even in the same season.
Lloyd, Britain

Yes, of course Lance Armstrong is one of the all time greats. He can do it all! He can climb, he can sprint, he is a team leader, he is an intelligent rider, he has class, he has an immense passion for cycling and for life. What more do you want?
Terry Phillips, United States

He's a great athlete on an even greater journey...there's no reason to compare.
Howard, USA

I think Lance has done a great job coming back from his illness in the way he has. It shows amazing fortitude to ride the Tour after all that he has been through. However, to compare him to greats such as Indurain and Hinault is unfair. Lance needs more time and several more wins in order to be rated as highly as these legends. I do believe that this will not be the last tour victory for Armstrong and that he and Ullrich will develop a great rivalry.
Joe Juice, Scotland

It is invalid to compare the modern day cyclists to those of the era of Anquetil, Merckx and even Hinault. The sport is so different now. But Lance proved he is a world class performer several years before this year's Tour de France victory: A rider who can win single day events and major tours is an outstanding athlete and is up there with the best. The attacking manner in which Lance has won his tours is also to be applauded. Today's performance by him is even more remarkable when you consider he was close to death and to merely walk again was a goal he dreamed of! Despite your modesty you are up there Lance.
John Hopper, England

Armstrong's recovery from cancer and his subsequent tour victories must be one of the greatest sporting achievements of all time and now he can climb mountains like Robert Millar!
Peter Marshall, Scotland

While Lance Armstrong cannot yet be compared to the greatest, he appears to be on his way. Surely his recovery from cancer demonstrates that he may well ultimately be included among the giants of the sport. We will not know for certain for a few more years, however.
Peter C Christianson, USA

With all the turmoil surrounding today's athletes, one should look to the accomplishments Lance Armstrong has achieved. Not only is he a great cyclist, and a "true athlete", he's also a human being! His accomplishments have made it possible for others to realise what life is really about. Thanks Lance.
Dennis Doyle, USA

As a competitive tri-athlete myself, I've known about Lance for years, when he was a young star on the Tri circuit. I watched his career as a pro cyclist with interest, as cycling is my preferred sport in triathlon. What he has achieved since falling ill with cancer, which had spread to his brain and abdomen, remember, not only makes him a cycling "great" but puts him into the hallowed arena of heroes alongside athletes like Wilma Rudolph, who beat crippling childhood paralysis to win three gold medals at the Rome Olympics. Congratulations, Lance - you are an inspiration to us all on the power of the human spirit.
John Lewis, Finland

What an incredible achievement to come back from the edge of death - not only to get on a bike a bike again, but to do so as a tougher man, both mentally and physically, and emerge victorious in an event which can only be described as one of the most demanding and testing in sport. Say no more.
Alistair Caldicott, UK

I think Lance Armstrong has proved to be one the greatest athletes to come out of the twentieth century. I know everyone is dazzled by his Tour de France performances, but Lance has proved himself in other races too. He has proved himself in classics like the San Sebastion and the World Championships, which he won at the age of 21 in 1994, which was before his illness. It's a shame very few people knew of him before 1999's TdF victory, since he was a fantastic rider to watch before then. I have seen him racing live (up Holm Moss in the Tour of Britain -1997) and his awe-inspiring lead up this climb sent the crowd crazy. A true champion if ever there was one in any sport!
Jon B, Sweden

Lance Armstrong has attained a level of achievement that transcends his chosen sport. Remember, he was written off for dead. I'm sure this TDF will be his most poignant win because he dusted Pantani and Ullrich in the face of criticisms that his win was "tainted" by their absence last year. Bravo, Lance.
Jason O'Connell, United States

The way he has climbed on this tour, bar the Joux-Plane on stage 16, has been a revelation and proves his class, and I think he can be granted a small bad patch in a three-week race. Whilst he is not yet alongside the other Tour greats yet, he most definitely has the potential to achieve his place alongside the greats. It may go without saying, but we must not forgot the years he lost in racing due to his illness. The fact that the recovery was remarkable is beyond question, and the fact he won the Tour last year is equally remarkable, but we all know that to defend a title is much harder than to win it the first time.
Ben Pickford, England

He's the best of all time. Did any of the others face Lance's tribulations?
Michael Wille, USA

In terms of human triumph he probably has no equal at this time. As for dominance of the Tour, he has not yet had the opportunity to fully make his mark.
Alec, USA

Lance does indeed deserve to be ranked among the greats - after his miraculous comeback from life threatening cancer he has already won one Tour and is looking good for another. Even if he never wins another race his place in cycling history is assured. He may not have won as many tours as Big Mig or Merckx but neither of those guys came back from death's door as Lance did!
Ronnie, England

If you want to use a golf analogy try comparing Armstrong to Tiger Woods. Armstrong has clearly been the strongest cyclist in the world for the past two years and he's still relatively young. My guess is he'll win four or five Tours and a couple more world championships. That would easily put him in the same category as Indurain and Hinault.
Charles, USA

Lance has already stated that it's a new era, thus making it impossible to win five tours. However, Lance has proved that he is a great champion and that last year was not a fluke. What is also important is that all of the retired great riders support Lance at his benefit ride, Ride for the Roses, and obviously have enormous respect for probably the best rider today.
Ross Heupel, USA

Lance possesses extraordinary talent, but his win against cancer may have diminished his physical capacity to some degree. Greg LeMond was never the same after his hunting accident. I thought Greg could have been the first to win 6 Tours, but he was never 100% after the accident. Lance is a large guy for a cyclist and can withstand cold weather more so than Ulrich or Pantani, and for him to win 5 Tours he needs days like Stage 10.
James, Mars

I think that you have to give up an awful lot to be in the position to win 5 tours. I don't think that Lance is willing to do that, though I would like to see it happen.
Mike Ramsey, USA

I think Lance Armstrong is a great cyclist and he has overcome incredible odds to rise to the top of his sport. I think it is still premature to compare him in the same league as Indurain and Merckx. If Armstrong wins a few more Tours, there is no question this debate will have to be revisited and the list of greatest cyclists expanded to include another name.
Saeed, USA