adminMONTGERON.— Chris Froome was late yesterday expected to take another step towards emulating the Tour de France’s greatest champions when he rode into Paris to clinch his fourth victory in cycling’s most celebrated race.
And in a nod to history, yesterday’s 21st and final stage started in Montgeron, where the very first Tour de France began 114 years ago.
The 32-year-old Briton finished third in Saturday’s 22.5km time-trial in Marseille to effectively secure a 54-second overall victory ahead of Colombia’s Rigoberto Uran.
Now, only Eddy Merckx, Jacques Anquetil, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain — all with five wins — have won more Tours than Froome.
“I’m not much of a person for looking back. Of course to have won it once (in 2013), the novelty was to be a Tour de France winner — that was massive,” he said.
“To come back and try to do it again the second time (in 2015) made it count even more.
“To do it consecutively last year for the first time — two in a row — was the big drive.
“For me now to have done it again, a fourth title, I never dreamed of being up there or even coming close to Eddy Merkcx, Anquetil or Indurain. “It’s amazing to be in this position, it’s such a privilege.” — AFP.
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