History-maker Wiggins wins Tour de France
Bradley Wiggins has been crowned Britain’s first Tour de France
champion, becoming an instant sporting hero at home just ahead of the
London Olympics -- in which he hopes to star again.
Wiggins, who had virtually sealed victory the previous day, finished
the three-week, 3,479km epic with a 3min 21sec lead over British
team-mate Chris Froome after Sunday’s 20th and last stage to Paris.
He also helped Sky team-mate Mark Cavendish to secure an
unprecedented fourth consecutive stage win on the Champs Elysees.
“It’s been a magical couple of weeks for the team and for British
cycling,” Wiggins told the massed throngs who had besieged France’s
famous thoroughfare, many waving British flags.
“Some dreams come true,” he added, after securing the famous yellow
jersey in the largely ceremonial final leg.
Wiggins, who received huge support from his Sky team-mates during the
gruelling rides through the Alps and the Pyrenees, promised to return
the favour and help Cavendish secure Olympic gold in London.
“I’m more than happy,” said world champion Cavendish as he held his
newborn baby at the finish line. “The Champs Elysees is the most
beautiful avenue in the world, and I’ve won here again.” Three years
after Wiggins equalled Robert Millar’s 1984 best British finish of
fourth overall, the Belgian-born Londoner finally achieved his childhood
dream of winning the world’s most prestigious bike race.
“It’s magnificent,” said Wiggins. “For us to finish like this as a
team, helping Mark to victory and allowing him to defend his record
here... it’s incredible.” Team Sky achieved the rare feat of a 1-2 on
the podium, the first since 1996, when Dane Bjarne Riis finished ahead
of his German team-mate at Telekom, Jan Ullrich.
Italian Vincenzo Nibali of the Liquigas team finished third overall,
six minutes and 19 seconds behind Wiggins.
It is also the first time compatriots have taken the first two places
since France’s Laurent Fignon finished ahead of five-time winner Bernard
Hinault in the 1984 edition.
British Prime Minister David Cameron led the tributes, calling
Wiggins’ victory an “immense feat of physical and mental ability”.
“I’m like everyone in the country -- absolutely delighted,” he told
Sky News.
AFP
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