Into the sunset...

Armstrong's aura will not fade. He will be the rare retired athlete who picks up more fans long after he stops competing.
Because there will always be new cancer patients, frightened and depressed. And they will need to know the story of Lance Armstrong.

-- Mike LoPresti, USA Today

Bonnie DeSimone looks at Lance Armstrong's final statement.

The Seattle Times has a collection of quotes on Armstrong from people ranging from George Bush to Wayne Gretzky.

Philip Hersch on Armstrong's au revoir.

Hersch has scenes from the final day.

Diane Pucin says Armstrong wouldn't cry.
Pucin says next year's tour is wide open.


Jim Litke says he walked away at the right time.

John Smallwood hopes Armstrong stays retired.

Kevin Blackistone says Lance's legacy is greater as someone who inspired cancer fighters.

USA Today's Mike LoPresti takes a similar angle.
Consider the difference in sports heroes. Kids dream of growing up to be like Tiger Woods or Michael Jordan or Peyton Manning.
But kids, and adults, pray to be like Lance Armstrong.

Steve Hummer says cancer patients have been inspired.
Kelly estimated that over the three weeks of the Tour de France, another 80,000 people worldwide were diagnosed with cancer, and they wouldn't care one way or another if Armstrong would ride again, only that he had ridden once.
"People kept asking me if I was sad that he was not going to compete anymore. Yes and no," Kelly said. "It's cool that he accomplished what he did competitively, but what he did for me personally isn't over. He gave me the opportunity to pass his story on to other people."

Bob Ford says Armstrong has no peers.

George Vescey looks at champagne on the Champs Elysees one more time.

Wetzel says Armstrong has done as much for hope as he has for cycling.