LANCE Armstrong finished top of the rostrum which mattered most and then shrugged off his position on the bottom step of another podium.

The American rider completed his sixth Tour de France victory on the bounce and took his place in the history books as the most successful of all competitors in cycling's most gruelling and most famous race.

But a poll which was conducted by a French newspaper and published this week placed Armstrong behind only Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher and footballer Nicolas Anelka in a list of the most disliked sportsmen in France.

''I know I'm the third most unpopular athlete in France, but at least I'm in very good company on the podium,'' Armstrong argued.

The US Postal Service team leader has come in for some road-side heckling, albeit limited, during the course of the Tour, which began on July 3.

The reasons are unclear, but in the wake of the US-led war in Iraq, his nationality may be a factor. The tennis player Serena Williams was famously chided during last year's French Open final.

Then there might be the factor of the Tour becoming predictable. Like Schumacher in his Ferrari over the course of the Formula One season, Armstrong is peerless for the three-and-a-half weeks of the arduous ride through France.

During some stages, Armstrong had to put up with spectators spitting in his direction, but he was mostly pleased with the reaction of the crowds who lined the route from start to finish - a complete distance of 3,391.1 kilometres.

''I'm not disappointed at all,'' said the champion. ''I found that the French attitude was good throughout all three weeks.''

Not only did Armstrong win this year's Tour, but he did so in grand style, winning five individual stages himself and contributing to his team's time-trial victory in week one.

''It's a great feeling to win the Tour de France again,'' he added.

''When I won my first Tour it was already fantastic, but now after six it is incredible. It's a real dream and this is my favourite race.''

The question on everybody's lips was whether Armstrong would return next year to bid for a seventh title, and the answer was vague but verging on the affirmative.

''I'm going to think about it in the next few months,'' he said.

''I'm sure I will be back. Whatever happens I'll be back sometime in my career.''

The victory enabled Armstrong to surpass five-time Tour winners Miguel Indurain, Bernard Hinault, Eddy Merckx and the late Jacques Anquetil in the record books.

Champagne flowed among Armstrong's US Postal Service team-mates as they pedalled toward the finish line on the Champs-Elysees during the 20th and final stage, which was won - somewhat academically - by Belgian rider Tom Boonen.

''Breaking history is incredibly special,'' Armstrong said. ''Climbing the top step at the podium and making history today is the moment that I will cherish forever."