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ysobelleEleven-man breakaway on the Champs-Élysées. The final stage is always a mix of relaxation, elaboration and fury. It goes from champagne toasts to murderous speed. That's where we are now. The honor of leading the race into the city was given to iconic veteran George Hincapie, riding his 17th and final Tour de France. No one has ridden it more, and he's been one of the stars of the race year after year. His retirement will leave a hole in the peloton especially felt by all the young riders he's mentored. (As mentioned by winner of the White Jersey for Best Young Rider, BMC teammate and fellow American Tejay VanGarderen.) But one last order of business before that happens. Laps of the city, under the watchful eyes of Joan of Arc again and again. Now it's three riders ahead by 20 seconds, one of them also-much-beloved veteran Jens Voight of Nissan Trek, which is leading the team competition.
Liquigas Cannondale isn't having any of it as they push the pace, but now the lead's up to 24 seconds. 10km left. Sky wants Cavendish to win this sprint, so they've got their fangs bared. Liquigas wants it for Green Jersey Peter Sagan.
Once more under the Louvre, past St. Joan on her golden horse, and it's the bell for the final lap. 6km to go. Down to 18 seconds. Thousands of people line the streets, screaming their hearts out. The peloton streams thunderously past, bearing down. There are only four teams left with a full complement of riders-- these men have all been through hell. They're survivors. They are here in this city on mission.
Ten seconds' gap to the three leaders. One last turn before the Arc du Triomphe. Sky is having none of this. At this point in the race, the Maillot Jaune is sitting up and waving to the crowd, enjoying his imminent victory. But this time, Bradley Wiggins is in the lead out train for Mark cavendish, who has never lost a sprint on the Champs-Élysées. Closer, closer, and yes, there's the catch. All together again, but Sky is determined. Will this British team, which has had an unbelievable year, snatch this last prize?
Under the Louvre for the last time. Past Norwegian Corner, full of enormous Nordic flags, this year for Sky's Edvald Boasson Hagen, Norwegian champion. Wiggins is pedaling furiously, turning himself inside out for Cavendish. But Sagan is in there-- can he do it?
No! NO! There goes Cav! NO ONE can catch him! The Manx Missile has been launched, and it's done! Four wins on this line-- he is unbeaten in Paris-- and 23 career Tour stage wins. Behind him, Wiggins sits up, arms in the air, cheering for his teammate and his team.
It has been an incredible year for British cycling. It has been an incredible race. And what's even more incredible is that some of these men aren't done-- next week, they're off to the Olympics. Will Chris Froome have as good a race as he's just finished? Can Bradley Wiggins win another gold medal? Can he have possibly the best year any cyclist's ever had?
We'll have to see.
Liquigas Cannondale isn't having any of it as they push the pace, but now the lead's up to 24 seconds. 10km left. Sky wants Cavendish to win this sprint, so they've got their fangs bared. Liquigas wants it for Green Jersey Peter Sagan.
Once more under the Louvre, past St. Joan on her golden horse, and it's the bell for the final lap. 6km to go. Down to 18 seconds. Thousands of people line the streets, screaming their hearts out. The peloton streams thunderously past, bearing down. There are only four teams left with a full complement of riders-- these men have all been through hell. They're survivors. They are here in this city on mission.
Ten seconds' gap to the three leaders. One last turn before the Arc du Triomphe. Sky is having none of this. At this point in the race, the Maillot Jaune is sitting up and waving to the crowd, enjoying his imminent victory. But this time, Bradley Wiggins is in the lead out train for Mark cavendish, who has never lost a sprint on the Champs-Élysées. Closer, closer, and yes, there's the catch. All together again, but Sky is determined. Will this British team, which has had an unbelievable year, snatch this last prize?
Under the Louvre for the last time. Past Norwegian Corner, full of enormous Nordic flags, this year for Sky's Edvald Boasson Hagen, Norwegian champion. Wiggins is pedaling furiously, turning himself inside out for Cavendish. But Sagan is in there-- can he do it?
No! NO! There goes Cav! NO ONE can catch him! The Manx Missile has been launched, and it's done! Four wins on this line-- he is unbeaten in Paris-- and 23 career Tour stage wins. Behind him, Wiggins sits up, arms in the air, cheering for his teammate and his team.
It has been an incredible year for British cycling. It has been an incredible race. And what's even more incredible is that some of these men aren't done-- next week, they're off to the Olympics. Will Chris Froome have as good a race as he's just finished? Can Bradley Wiggins win another gold medal? Can he have possibly the best year any cyclist's ever had?
We'll have to see.