Wiggins wins Britain’s first Tour de France

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Published time: July 22, 2012 20:14
Edited time: July 23, 2012 00:14

Overall Tour de frnace leader's yellow jersey, British Bradley Wiggins, wrapped in a national flag (AFP Photo / Jeff Pachoud)

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Cycling

Bradley Wiggins has become the first Briton to win the Tour de France, as the 99th installment of the legendary cycle race finished at the Champs Elysees in Paris.

Wiggins won just two stages during the event, but showed the most consistency among the riders.

The finish in the middle of the pack on the 20th stage, which was won by his compatriot and Sky teammate Mark Cavendish, was enough for the 32-year-old to hold on to his yellow jersey.

"It's been a magical couple of weeks for the team and for British cycling," Wiggins told reporters. "Some dreams come true. My mother over there, she's now – her son has won the Tour de France."

But the winner would have little time to celebrate his success, with the Olympics at home less than a week away.

"Tonight I go home," he said. "Everything turns to the Olympics and I'll be out on the bike tomorrow and I've got an Olympic time trial to try and win. So that's a higher priority than anything else.”

Another Sky man, Chris Froome, took second place in the overall standings, with Vincenzo Nibali completing the podium.

Despite being left out of the top three, Cavendish also made a landmark achievement of his own, topping legends Andre Darrigade and Lance Armstrong with his 23 Tour stage wins.

The best among the Russian competitors, Denis Menshov of Team Katyusha finished the race in 15th position.

Comments (5)

Heidrich (unregistered) 25.07.2012 16:05

The whole england Sky team with unlimited fund was exiting as english movie. "Peter Sagan" Alone with no support from team did more by him self then the english Sky crapp team.

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Richard (unregistered) 23.07.2012 11:59

The Truth (unregistered) wrote in #1
Bradley Wiggins has become the first "Briton" to win the Tour de France Why is it that international news agencys recognise britain as a country when its not? Its a illegal union of countries that was created by England in order to oppress and occupy Scotland and Wales. For the record im not Scottish, Welsh or "british" I like RT since it provides a good alternative perspective on world events. What I am tired of though, are some of the many irritating people who comment on articles and the irrelevance of their comments. "The Truth" as you seem to like to call yourself are one of these people. This article is about cycling and Bradley Wiggins / Team Sky produced an undeniably top performance . Why do pathetic people like you, always stir up nationalism into anything? Any story whatsoever you sprawl your irritating comments like some know-all, and it is just plain annoying. You must have such an ego to feel yourself so smart that you have to teach us all a history lesson, even in the most irrelevant of circumstances. Can't people like you just for once, appreciate quality, regardless of race, nationality colour etc. Stop writing your clap-trap and drivle on here. You're tiresome. Get out into nature and get some fresh air, spend less time infront of your computer and TV and stop slagging off people or countries when it is completely irrelevant. This was an article about a top quality sporting achievement, not a debate on the history of Britain. Grow up, or don't comment.

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gewangew 23.07.2012 05:20

Il a vraiment de la chance. Vive l'Ecosse 2014!

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