What an excellent finish to the general classification. The final climb of the 2013 Tour saw the peloton whittled down to pretty much the top 10 riders and this then became the eventual podium – Chris Froome, Nairo Quintana and the better-late-than-never Joaquim Rodriguez. It was almost as if the top three riders were leading a parade – an impression that was only enhanced by the fact that they were weaving their way through gangs of pissed-up idiots.
The stage win
Nairo Quintana finally got the win he’s deserved all along and also landed himself the mountains classification in the process. He will be the runner-up in this year’s Tour and obviously secures the white jersey for best young rider as well. Not a bad debut. The anti-Voeckler was even moved to a visible facial display of emotion. I’ve already said he’ll win the Tour one day. I think a lot more people are confident of that now.
Third overall
Joaquim Rodriguez gained enough time to shunt Roman Kreuziger and Alberto Contador further down the general classification. Saxobank’s invasion of the podium was followed by a tactical withdrawal.
Contador’s pissed off. He’s not going to defend his Vuelta title now, because he wants to prepare for next year’s Tour. Let’s not go into the whys and wherefores, but he’s returned from his ban a lesser rider.
Oh, by the way
Chris Froome won the Tour de France. I promise I’ll return to this in due course.
Stage 21
The whole point of this stage is that it should be a sprint finish. Here’s the profile.
Up and down the Champs Élysées on the final stage of the Tour, it’s the most prestigious sprint win of them all and Mark Cavendish has won the last four. However, he’s looked more fallible this year. Will the sunset finish herald the sunset of the greatest ever run of
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