After 2013, 2015 and 2016, the Briton Chris Froome triumphs in tour de France. The day of victory on the final stage in Paris, the German Sprinter André Greipel missed out as a Second nearly.
Chris Froome took on his Tour d’honneur, a glass of Rosé champagne, one of his team-mates, there was a beer shower – André Greipel over stormed on to the Champs-Élysées, very close to the hat-Trick of wins. The final act of the 104. Tour de France rolled Froome after the second Thriller about 3450 kilometers for the fourth Time in the Yellow Jersey facilitates the Parisian splendid Boulevard. Greipel was not the privilege of the final prestige of print, the Second and the third success after his Victories in 2015 and 2016.
So it remained from the German point of view, the five stage wins of the “Le Kaiser,” Marcel Kittel, and the memories of a kick-off in Düsseldorf. Greipel had to be on Sunday on the 103-kilometre long final stage, only the Dutchman Dylan Groenewegen struck. “Close is not won. I would have had to leave a bit earlier”,” said Greipel to the TV channel ARD. Thus, a series ended with the German Ex-champion, after he had taken since 2011, always at least a day of victory.
Only a success to the Five-time winners
Three weeks ago, he stood in the shadows of fellow countryman and Sprinter Marcel Kittel. The German, who had duped the masses of prints to the competition, was charged according to recently home on leave after his Tour-fall for the victory celebration. Otherwise, it was called the Tour “Rule Britannia” – again. After 2013, 2015 and 2016 state-of-the Nairobi-born Froome on the podium. “It’s an incredible feeling to go back in the Yellow Jersey to Paris,” said Froome, who was cheered despite the drizzle of an audience of millions on the roadside. Only one success is missing him up to the Five-time winners Jacques Anquetil and Bernard Hinault of France, and the Belgian Eddy Merckx and Spaniard Miguel Indurain.
“It is a great honor to be in the same breath as the Biggest of the Tour-story. I have to dream never dared to come Merckx, Anquetil or Indurain so close,” said Froome, who had to Triumph number four hard toil. Just 54 seconds was ahead of second-placed Rigoberto Uran (Colombia). The third-placed Frenchman Romain Bardet was in front of the time trial in Marseille, on the penultimate day, only 23 seconds behind the British. However, a whistling Concerto by the French Fans in the Stade Velodrome against Froome on Saturday could not be more help your favorite Bardet for the first tour victory for the hosts since Bernard Hinault in 1985.
Kittel: “Proud of what I have experienced”
Coat: Five stage wins until the fall
A kind of Renaissance of the German Cycling experienced. Düsseldorf, the Tour prepared for the first Grand Départ on German soil for 30 years, a stylish reception, the TV ratings have increased significantly. “The big Highlight with the boot in Düsseldorf. That was a terrific, unique way,” summed up time trial world champion Tony Martin. Tour debutant Nikias Arndt, the winner of this round trip, agreed: “The Start-up remains in the memory. I’ve enjoyed it. I had goose bumps for two days.”
Was outshone, from a German point of view, everything from the highly acclaimed series, winner of the Kittel before a fall in the Alps stopped the wonderful journey abruptly. “The joy outweighs the stress. It makes me very proud of what I have experienced,” said Kittel. He was allowed to be, after all, he had set German records such as the five victories of Didi Thurau (1977) or the best brand of Erik Zabel (a total of twelve victories) or exceeded.
sw/og (dpa, sid)