After spotting the competition an Alp or deux, Armstrong blew past them with a lung-searing, spirit-crushing sprint up Alpe d'Huez to set up his third straight Tour de France victory, all this after recovering from cancer. The U.S. Postal Service rider was 23rd at the beginning of the mountain stages, first at the end, pausing only long enough to look back at the vanquished.
Animated actors dominated the box office, Barry Bonds hit 73 and 'It' turned out to be a scooter. TIME picks the bests and the worsts of this year...