Every now and then an athlete comes along who dominates their sport as no one ever has before.

Baseball had its Joe DiMaggio, boxing had Muhammad Ali, basketball had its Michael Jordon, and of course, hockey its Wayne Gretzky.

Now, the world's focus burns through the haze of the 2005 summer heat upon cyclist Lance Armstrong, racing toward his seventh Tour de France win.

It's an unprecedented and almost unbelievable feat.

Yet, even as Armstrong pulls away from the pack and his reputation soars from the confines of his sport into the stratosphere of global recognition, there's no shortage of snipers ready to shoot him down.

Armstrong's domination of the gruelling Tour de France has sucked some of the life out of the race, writes Bill Gifford of Outside Magazine.

If it is to become exciting again, Lance must lose, Gifford writes, even while acknowledging that pre-Lance, TV coverage of the event was almost non-existent.

This year, the multitudes in China and India will be able to bear witness to Lance's exploits and Australia will broadcast it live for the first time.

As Gretzky the Great One did before him, the Amazing Armstrong has created an audience for his sport where none existed before.

Even his friends aren't immune to taking sideways shots at his prowess disguised as compliments

"When you ride six Tours, for 18 weeks without a single mishap, I guess luck has definitely got something to do with it," said Armstrong's former teammate Bobby Julich.

Then there have been the mutterings about doping over the years, even though Armstrong has always denied using performance-enhancing drugs and there is zero proof to the contrary.

He's already been randomly tested six times this year and underwent a surprise dope test in the car park of his hotel just before the Tour began. He was the only rider tested.

All the negativity is perhaps just a way for mere mortals to explain how any individual is capable of such superhuman feats.

At 33, Armstrong is ancient for a competitive cyclist.

He accomplished his amazing winning streak after recovering from near-fatal testicular cancer in 1996.

The ordeal, which might have ended the athletic careers of lesser men, merely spurred him onward.

"What it teaches is this: Pain is temporary, quitting lasts forever," he explained.

Yesterday, Armstrong blew away his rivals on the 22-km first alpine stage of the race while his younger opponents struggled in pain behind.

He collected his 72nd Tour de France yellow leader's jersey after the stage and said he hopes not to lose it again before his retirement at the end of the race in Paris on July 24.

"When a rider wins six Tours, he's not normal in the head," said rival Ivan Basso of Italy in another of those backhanded compliments.

If Armstrong can maintain his current pace, he will accomplish what other legends of sport have failed to achieve.

Unlike Muhammad Ali and Michael Jordan, he will retire at the top of his game.

As his goal draws closer, his cheering section grows louder.

Although some criticize him for being distant from his fans, that hasn't deterred those who admire his single-minded determination.

His efforts at raising millions for cancer research in visits to cities such as Calgary only add to his reputation.

Armstrong's physical feats are impressive, but it is his attitude and sheer will which hold the imagination spellbound.

"One thing Lance has over everybody else is he's very strong mentally," said Geoff Brown, a Canadian who is one of the mechanics on Armstrong's racing team.

"I've never seen anyone who can concentrate or channel their mental energy into physical energy."

Joe DiMaggio's record 56-game hitting streak in 1941 captivated North America in the midst of a worsening global conflict that appeared as though it might never end.

Like DiMaggio, Armstrong's amazing effort provides diversion and inspiration in a troubled time.

The world could use more of that.