Cycling: Tour de France mountain legend Richard Virenque retires at 34

PARIS (AP) - Richard Virenque, the darling of French cycling fans whose record-breaking career was tainted by his part in the Tour de France's worst doping scandal, announced Friday that he is retiring.

Virenque, 34, took a record seventh King of the Mountains title at this year's Tour, capping a career that also included seven stage wins in 12 appearances. He also wore the yellow jersey as overall leader in 1992 and 2003.

"I will no longer be part of professional cycling's peloton," Virenque told reporters in Paris. "I have had some great moments. But from now on I will just be enjoying bike rides with my family.