Froome wins Tour
July 26, 2015
Team Sky's Chris Froome has won cycling's Tour de France for the second time in three years. He also won the Tour's mountain classification.
The result was no surprise as tradition prohibits attacks on the wearer of the yellow jersey on the final day of the event.
"I want to start by thanking my team-mates, without you I would not be standing here. I give you my utmost respect and gratitude," the Brit said in his winner speech. "This is your yellow jersey as much as it is mine.
"Thank you to the support team at Team Sky - your support has got me through the tough times.
"Thank you to my wife Michelle - your love and support are my motivation. The maillot jaune is special, very special. I will always respect it and never dishonour it and I will always be proud to have won it."
In any case, the final 109-kilometer (68-mile) stage partly over cobblestone streets in Paris would not have been kind to aggressive cycling. And in response to rain, organizers stopped the race clock.
It's the third Tour triumph for Team Sky, managed by Sir Dave Brailsford. Tour overall runner-up Nairo Quintana won the young rider classification, while Tean Movistar wrapped up the overall team classification win ahead of Sky. Slovakian Peter Sagan claimed the green jersey as the Tour's top sprinter.
"I'm very happy because this year was very hard," Sagan said. "My role in the team was different. I'm happy I've not crashed. I'm very satisfied. I had a lot of fun this year."
The winner of the final stage was German Andre Greipel who secured his fourth stage win of the Tour this year and tenth over the course of his career. Kenneth Valbisen was one of three riders to lead most of Stage 21, but Greipel edged out Mark Cavendish in a thrilling late sprint.
"I have dreamt about this, it's the biggest stage a sprinter can win," the German said.
Earlier, Anna van der Breggen made it two straight Dutch victories in La Course by winning the Tour de France women's race on the Champs-Elysees.
The women's Tour is held on the same day as the men's race and has been running for two years. Marion Vos taking the title last season.
"It was a really slippery road, it was hectic all day," said Van Der Breggen on French TV. "This race is really, really big for us."