Wiggins first British rider to win Tour de France

TecHniCoLoR_MX · 22-07-2012, 05:30 PM

Wiggins, in yellow, and teammate Christopher Froome (left) finish the Tour 1-2. (Getty Images)

PARIS -- Bradley Wiggins became the first Briton to win the Tour de France by safely protecting the yellow jersey during Sunday's final processional ride into Paris -- and even helping Sky teammate Mark Cavendish earn his fourth straight sprint victory on the Champs-Elysees.

Wiggins secured his win with a dominating performance in Saturday's final time trial to extend his already commanding lead. Fellow Briton and Sky teammate Christopher Froome finished second, 3 minutes, 21 seconds behind overall. Vincenzo Nibali of Italy finished third, 6:19 off the pace.

The last time two riders from the same nation finished first and second in the Tour was in 1984, when Frenchman Laurent Fignon defeated Bernard Hinault.

Cavendish claimed his 23rd Tour stage win and third this year. He also became the first reigning world champion to win on the Champs-Elysees.

As expected, Wiggins repaid Cavendish for his efforts earlier in the race and led the Sky train in the final kilometer of the 120-kilometer stage before leaving his place to Edvald Boasson Hagen, who delivered a perfect lead-out for Cavendish.

Cavendish accelerated coming out of the final corner, never looked back and raised four fingers as he crossed the line.

The seven stage wins was a record haul for British riders in the Tour, beating the previous record of six stage wins in 2009 -- when all were won by Cavendish.

This time the victories were divided up between Cavendish (3), Wiggins (2), David Millar (1) and Froome (1).

Wiggins and his teammates were at the font of the pack as it arrived on the streets of Paris for eight laps of a 6.5-kilometer circuit on the Champs-Elysees.

Veteran rider George Hincapie, competing in his 17th consecutive and final Tour, led the peloton onto the prestigious avenue alongside fellow American Chris Horner.

With Sky determined to help Cavendish secure a fourth consecutive win in Paris, Horner and Hincapie were immediately reined in. Several other riders tried to break away but the peloton was not ready to give them any slack as the race passed some of the capital's most iconic monuments such as the Louvre museum, the Eiffel tower and the Place de la Concorde.

Six riders including Jens Voigt of Germany finally escaped from the back with 30 kilometers to go. They had a maximum lead of 30 seconds but were progressively reeled in as Liquigas and Sky organized the chase.

howyousawtheworld · 22-07-2012, 09:50 PM

He was brilliant. Not such a big follower of road racing but was following his progress very closely this year. Remember the first time I heard of him when he won gold on the track back in Athens 2004. Who would have thought he would progress to road racing and become the winner of the Tour de France?! Great for Wiggins and great for Britain as well. They've really become such a dominant force in the sport now. We need people like David Brailsford in other sports, notably football.

tifosi · 22-07-2012, 10:50 PM

Cycling... Bloody hell!

The Doctor · 28-07-2012, 04:06 PM

bleh didn't like this Tour
Sky made the race boring if you ask me.

TecHniCoLoR_MX · 29-07-2012, 12:27 AM

Without Schleck or Contador it was. Indeed.

howyousawtheworld · 29-07-2012, 12:34 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by TecHniCoLoR_MX;5372511
Without Schleck or Contador it was. Indeed.

The latter was a drugs cheat. Sport could do without people like them.

The Doctor · 29-07-2012, 01:08 PM

I don't mind if it was with or without Schleck or Contador
I just think team Sky made it boring by not letting racers go sometimes

golfing7861 · 06-08-2012, 09:20 AM

Was there any doping/accusations of it this time? It's hard to keep biking clean.

22-07-2012, 05:30 PM	#1
TecHniCoLoR_MX Street lights will glow.. Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 3,423 My Mood: Location: Northern California Gender: Country: Chat posts: 22 Thanks given: 619 Thanked 357 Times in 293 Posts	Wiggins first British rider to win Tour de France Wiggins, in yellow, and teammate Christopher Froome (left) finish the Tour 1-2. (Getty Images) PARIS -- Bradley Wiggins became the first Briton to win the Tour de France by safely protecting the yellow jersey during Sunday's final processional ride into Paris -- and even helping Sky teammate Mark Cavendish earn his fourth straight sprint victory on the Champs-Elysees. Wiggins secured his win with a dominating performance in Saturday's final time trial to extend his already commanding lead. Fellow Briton and Sky teammate Christopher Froome finished second, 3 minutes, 21 seconds behind overall. Vincenzo Nibali of Italy finished third, 6:19 off the pace. The last time two riders from the same nation finished first and second in the Tour was in 1984, when Frenchman Laurent Fignon defeated Bernard Hinault. Cavendish claimed his 23rd Tour stage win and third this year. He also became the first reigning world champion to win on the Champs-Elysees. As expected, Wiggins repaid Cavendish for his efforts earlier in the race and led the Sky train in the final kilometer of the 120-kilometer stage before leaving his place to Edvald Boasson Hagen, who delivered a perfect lead-out for Cavendish. Cavendish accelerated coming out of the final corner, never looked back and raised four fingers as he crossed the line. The seven stage wins was a record haul for British riders in the Tour, beating the previous record of six stage wins in 2009 -- when all were won by Cavendish. This time the victories were divided up between Cavendish (3), Wiggins (2), David Millar (1) and Froome (1). Wiggins and his teammates were at the font of the pack as it arrived on the streets of Paris for eight laps of a 6.5-kilometer circuit on the Champs-Elysees. Veteran rider George Hincapie, competing in his 17th consecutive and final Tour, led the peloton onto the prestigious avenue alongside fellow American Chris Horner. With Sky determined to help Cavendish secure a fourth consecutive win in Paris, Horner and Hincapie were immediately reined in. Several other riders tried to break away but the peloton was not ready to give them any slack as the race passed some of the capital's most iconic monuments such as the Louvre museum, the Eiffel tower and the Place de la Concorde. Six riders including Jens Voigt of Germany finally escaped from the back with 30 kilometers to go. They had a maximum lead of 30 seconds but were progressively reeled in as Liquigas and Sky organized the chase.

28-07-2012, 04:06 PM	#4
The Doctor Allons-y! Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 19,182 My Mood: Location: where you want me to be Gender: Country: Seen CP: 2 times Fav. CP album: Parachutes Fav. CP member: Chat posts: 79 Thanks given: 601 Thanked 381 Times in 311 Posts	bleh didn't like this Tour Sky made the race boring if you ask me. __________________ I wait patiently for your return I know you're coming back Northern & Western Europe Ambassador 2012 f~t~d~ the random fb group

29-07-2012, 12:27 AM	#5
TecHniCoLoR_MX Street lights will glow.. Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 3,423 My Mood: Location: Northern California Gender: Country: Chat posts: 22 Thanks given: 619 Thanked 357 Times in 293 Posts	Without Schleck or Contador it was. Indeed. __________________ *4.28.12 San Jose*

29-07-2012, 12:34 AM	#6
howyousawtheworld Coldplayer Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 6,753 Location: Scotland Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 13 Thanked 52 Times in 31 Posts	Quote: Originally Posted by TecHniCoLoR_MX;5372511 Without Schleck or Contador it was. Indeed. The latter was a drugs cheat. Sport could do without people like them.

29-07-2012, 01:08 PM	#7
The Doctor Allons-y! Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 19,182 My Mood: Location: where you want me to be Gender: Country: Seen CP: 2 times Fav. CP album: Parachutes Fav. CP member: Chat posts: 79 Thanks given: 601 Thanked 381 Times in 311 Posts	I don't mind if it was with or without Schleck or Contador I just think team Sky made it boring by not letting racers go sometimes __________________ I wait patiently for your return I know you're coming back Northern & Western Europe Ambassador 2012 f~t~d~ the random fb group

22-07-2012, 09:50 PM	#2
howyousawtheworld Coldplayer Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 6,753 Location: Scotland Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 13 Thanked 52 Times in 31 Posts	He was brilliant. Not such a big follower of road racing but was following his progress very closely this year. Remember the first time I heard of him when he won gold on the track back in Athens 2004. Who would have thought he would progress to road racing and become the winner of the Tour de France?! Great for Wiggins and great for Britain as well. They've really become such a dominant force in the sport now. We need people like David Brailsford in other sports, notably football.

22-07-2012, 10:50 PM	#3
tifosi Technical Administrator Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 1,658 My Mood: Location: Lancashire Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts	Cycling... Bloody hell!

06-08-2012, 09:20 AM	#8
golfing7861 High fivin' Chris Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,996 My Mood: Location: Houston, Texas (the waterfall) Gender: Country: Chat posts: 0 Thanks given: 51 Thanked 114 Times in 63 Posts	Was there any doping/accusations of it this time? It's hard to keep biking clean.