Seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong announced to retire from professional cycling on Wednesday.


Radioshack's Lance Armstrong (C) of the U.S tosses his food bag as he cycles during the 12th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Bourg-de-Peage and Mende, July 16, 2010. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
"Today, I am announcing my retirement from professional cycling in order to devote myself full-time to my family, to the fight against cancer and to leading the foundation I established before I won my first Tour de France," he said via a statement.


"My focus now is raising my five children, promoting the mission of Livestrong (his foundation), and growing entrepreneurial ventures with our great corporate partners in the fight against cancer."


The 39-year-old, regarded a role model and athletic icon for having fought against testicular cancer since he was 25, resumed his cycling career in 2009 after four years away, and finished the third in that year's Tour de France.


He most recently placed 67th in the Tour Down Under in Australia last month.


VietNamNet/Xinhuanet