Cape Town - Highlights from the past decade in the world of cycling as Lance Armstrong triumphed, quit then made a memorable return to the sport.

Rider of the decade:

Although he did not ride for 3-1/3 years after his Tour de France 2005 triumph, American Lance Armstrong emerged as the most successful rider of the decade.

Armstrong clinched six of his record seven Tour titles in the 2000s and his comeback in 2009 drew huge media attention. At 37, he finished third in the Tour de France, passing the baton to the sport's new hero Alberto Contador.

Stage of the decade:

Tour de France 2003, ninth stage:

Armstrong's Spanish rival Joseba Beloki crashed following a puncture on the descent to Gap. Just behind him, the American, somehow, remained on the saddle and was forced to cut through a field before making it back on to the road to limit the damage as Alexandre Vinokourov, second overall at the end of the day, was flying to a solo win.

Armstrong dubbed his move a "reflex of survival".

Defining moment:

Nine years after the Festina scandal, the world of cycling was rocked by a series of doping affairs that severely shook the Tour de France, its most prestigious race.

The Astana team were forced out of the race after Kazakh Vinokourov tested positive for blood doping, Cofidis withdrew when Italian Cristian Moreni tested positive for testosterone, and then-overall leader Michael Rasmussen was sacked by his Rabobank team during the race for lying about his training whereabouts.

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