In an expected finish to the 2016 Tour de France on Sunday, Britain’s Christopher Froome emerged as the winner for the second year in a row. The 31-year old Team Sky Rider Froome also took the honor as the only Briton to have won the Tour de France three times after his first win in 2013. In another first against his name, Froome became the first rider to successfully defend his title in 20 years. In the final GC standings, Froome finished nearly 3 minutes ahead of Frenchman Romain Bardet in the world’s most difficult race. Colombia’s Nairo Quintana, who had finished second to Froome in 2013 & 2015, could only manage the third-place this year. Before the riders reached the finish line, thousands of British fans had already lined up along Paris’ most cherished landmark, the Champs-Elysees, where Froome was presented the traditional yellow jersey to an all-round applause. In another heroic success for Great Britain, 23-year old Adam Yates won the best young rider competition and thus became the first ever Briton to do so, since the award was introduced in 1975.
On Saturday, Chris Froome came unscathed from the 146.5 kilometer 20th stage that coursed through the last alpine passage on the tour. The riders started at Megeve and went through several climbs and descents before reaching Morzine. The last few kilometers were ridden in the tour’s nastiest descent. But Froome survived and held nearly 4 minutes buffer in the overall lead, going into the final flat run between Chantilly and Paris that marked the last stage on 2016 Tour de France. Most riders covered the 650 km distance between Morzine and Chantilly by air.
Germany’s Andre Greipel of team Lotto Soudal retained his 2015 stage-21 victory, which he stole from team Katusha’s Alexander Kristoff almost at death. Team Tinkoff rider Peter Sagan was second and Kristoff had to rest content with the third place. But the moment belonged to Chris Froome, who had covered the tour distance in a little over 89 hours. He entered the Champs Elysees with all his Team Sky members, locked in arms. The champion was met at the finish line with his wife Michelle and son Kellan and after much hugging and kissing, the celebrations began. With his third Tour victory, Froome joined a small band of elite cyclists and became the only Briton to be crowned as winner on three occasions.