Tour de France: Contador supreme -- but Cavendish claims Paris glory
Astana's Alberto Contador of Spain celebrates his overall victory on the podium after the final 21st stage of the 96th Tour de France in Paris yesterday
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Mark Cavendish brought the curtain down on a remarkable three weeks of cycling, by racing away from the field in a manner rarely seen on the Champs Elysees to claim his sixth stage win of the 2009 Tour de France.
It was another display of pace and racing nous by Cavendish on his own initiative.
He has been talking about winning in Paris for months, but he always hoped such a victory would be accompanied by a green jersey for the points competition, though stage wins and merely getting to Paris for the first time were his main objectives.
Missing out on green to Norwegian Thor Hushovd will only sharpen Cavendish's hunger, which is bad news for every sprinter he tangles with.
Aided as always by 'The Columbia Train' George Hincapie, the tireless Tony Martin and Mark Renshaw, Cavendish did not so much win yesterday's sprint, as embark on a breakaway to take it by 30 metres while easing up with lead-out man Renshaw free-wheeling home for second.
There was ample opportunity for all sorts of elaborate celebrations but there is a time and place for showboating and this wasn't it. This was treated with the respect, emotion and clenched fist it deserved, and a shout of triumph that could be heard up the Eiffel Tower. Renshaw and Cavendish, who always do their homework assiduously -- often working from notes prepared by six-time green jersey winner Erik Zabel -- had cut a perfect angle on the final tight corner where Garmin faltered and were squeezed. Hushovd nearly hit a crash barrier and, unable to mount his usual challenge, trailed home in sixth position.
"I always dreamt it would be a spectacular feeling winning on the Champs Elysees and it didn't disappoint me from the moment we heard the crowd roar as we rode in," Cavendish said.
"It was a beautiful feeling, a proud feeling.
"I'm not disappointed at not winning green. I said before the race I wanted stage wins and to reach Paris. I came close to green. I got a bit excited, but it didn't work out. But how can I be disappointed with six stage wins?
"Reaching Paris was as hard as I thought it would be. I'm exhausted but my team rode every day to support me.
"It hasn't been easy but my fatigue is massively overshadowed by joy and a sense of achievement. I know what it takes to win the green jersey but, physically, I'm not quite ready to put it into practice yet.
"Thor is a special rider who rode beyond himself to get it -- a special, once-in-a-decade ride -- but for sure I can win the green in future in my own little way."
On Saturday, the general classification issues were all settled on Ventoux with Alberto Contador shadowing Andy Schleck perfectly to win his second title.
Alas, it was noticeable that as Contador crossed the finish line in Paris there was scarcely an Astana colleague in sight -- Tour tradition normally dictates that the yellow jersey be surrounded by his loyal cohorts as he finishes the job.
Asked who his toughest opponent was, Contador answered simply: "The hotel".
To win in such a divided team and under such circumstances was a remarkable achievement and speaks of an inner steel. Lance Armstrong conceded on Saturday night that he doubted whether he could have beaten Contador even when he was at his peak.
As for Bradley Wiggins, he covered himself in glory as he dragged himself up the most punishing mountain of all to secure fourth place. With a picture of Tom Simpson, who died on Ventoux in 1967, taped to his crossbar, he somehow found the strength over the last two kilometres to defend his fourth place from Andreas Kloden and Frank Schleck.
Wiggins has enjoyed a superb Tour and, at 29, is just reaching his peak years as a Tour rider. After he enjoys a few hard-earned pints this week, he should reflect that this is a beginning not an end. (© Daily Telegraph, London)
- Brendan Gallagher
