December 2, 2003 – Lance Armstrong has been awarded the prestigious 2003 Velo d'Or (International) by the monthly French VELO Magazine, generally considered the most prestigious of journalistic awards in the cycling community. 16 International cycling correspondents cast their votes on which rider has had the best season in the year. Already a winner in 1999, 2000 and 2001, LA was considered best rider following his fifth successive victory in the 2003 Tour de France.