97th Tour de France finished in Paris
The last stage of the 97th Tour de France finished on the Champs Elysees in Paris. After the known jokes and photo moments the stage really started when the bunch reached the Champs Elysees. Several riders, amongst others Sylvain Chavanel, tried to launch a breakaway, but the bunch quickly reeled them in. A group of 10 riders had more luck and was in the front for several laps. The peloton kept in control and with 5 kilometres the escape group was caught. Carlos Barredo tried to surprise the bunch with a late attack, but the sprinter`s teams caught him quickly. In the bunch sprint Mark Cavendish took his fifth stage of this Tour de France.
Alberto Contador is the overall winner for the third time in his career. Kevin de Weert finished 18th in the overall rankings. After the stage Team Quick Step`s colours colours were shining on the podium in Paris. Sylvain Chavanel captured the prize for the most combative rider in the Tour de France. This important recognition awards the French rider who won two stages in this Tour to wear the yellow leader’s jersey twice. “This is a prize of which I’m very proud, and which I already won in 2008. I wish to share this with all the team. If there were a prize for the hardest fighting team it would surely belong to Team Quick Step. The results I achieved are the fruits of the labours of the entire squad. And let me give a special shout out to Pineau. JeJe was a key player in both of the stages I won. He deserved the award as well for his consistence and skill, even when he suffered a fall which cost him the polka dot jersey. My season will continue at the Clasica San Sebastian. I’d like to do well on a course that is perfectly adapted to my strengths”, said Chavanel.
Result stage 20
1. Mark Cavendish (GB)
2. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita)
3. Julian Dean (NZl)
26. Carlos Barredo (Esp)
48. Kevin de Weert (Bel)
73. Sylvain Chavanel (Bel)
114. Maarten Wynants (Bel)
124. Jerome Pineau (Fra)
137. Dries Devenyns (Bel)
151. Jurgen van de Walle (Bel)
157. Kevin Seeldraeyers (Bel)
Final overall classification
1. Alberto Contador (Esp)
2. Andy Schleck (Lux) 0.39
3. Denis Menchov (Rus) 2.01
18. Kevin de Weert (Bel) 21.54
31. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) 59.17
41. Carlos Barredo (Esp) 1:20.11
63. Jurgen van de Walle (Bel) 1:51.33
66. Jerome Pineau (Fra) 1:57.58
117. Maarten Wynants (Bel) 3:15.19
134. Kevin Seeldraeyers (Bel) 3:29.01
144. Dries Devenyns (Bel) 3:38.36
Final points classification
1. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) 243 points
2. Mark Cavendish (GB) 232
3. Thor Hushovd (Noo) 222
22. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) 73
46. Carlos Barredo (Esp) 34
66. Jurgen van de Walle (Bel) 23
68. Dries Devenyns (Bel) 22
71. Kevin de Weert (Bel) 19
94. Maarten Wynants (Bel) 12
100. Jerome Pineau (Fra) 10
Final mountain classification
1. Anthony Charteau (Fra) 143 points
2. Christophe Moreau (Fra) 128
3. Andy Schleck (Lux) 116
8. Jerome Pineau (Fra) 92
22. Sylvain Chavanel (Fra) 47
24. Jurgen van de Walle (Bel) 42
28. Carlos Barredo (Esp) 38
38. Dries Devenyns (Bel) 29
Final youth classification
1. Andy Schleck (Lux)
2. Robert Gesink (Ned) 8.52
3. Roman Kreuziger (Cze) 11.15
27. Kevin Seeldraeyers (Bel) 3:28.22
Final team classification
1. Radioshack
2. Caisse d`Epargne 9.15
3. Rabobank 27.49
7. Team Quick Step 1:06.23