Tour de France

Hello,
The tour ended today at the Champs Elysees in Paris.

As expected since a few stages back Alberto Contador of Spain and Astana was declared the winner. His timing of 85hr48min35sec was +4.11 ahead of second placed Andy Schleck of Luxemborg who beat the old fart Lance Armstrong of USA by another +1:13. Andy's brother Frank was in fifth place just +6.04 adrift. They are the guys to watch out.

Britain had a good show with Brad Wiggins finishing fourth overall and Mark Cavendish who had his 10th stage win today and won the most coveted sprinter’s prize in road cycling.

The green jersey was however won for the second time by Thor Hushovd, the most consistent rider of the Tour.

Schleck, 24, won the white jersey as the Tour’s best young rider for the second consecutive year.

Franco Pellizotti had a second honour bestowed upon him in addition to his polka dot jersey as the king of the mountains. The Italian was also voted as the winner of the award for the most aggressive rider in this year’s Tour. He was involved in four breakaways, twice won the “Fighting Spirit” award as the stage’s most combative rider and judges agreed he was the rider who most animated the race.

The old favorite Armstrong appeared to suffer on several of the Alpine climbs, but he showed determination and some of his old power on the climb to the top of Mont Ventoux on Saturday to retain his place on the podium.

'It feels good' to be on the podium, Armstrong told France 2 television after the race. 'I felt like I came and did very well. I did my best.'

He will be back on the Tour in 2010 with a new team, sponsored by the Texas-based electronics giant Radio Shack.

'I hope to come back stronger next year,' he said. 'I'll do my best. Maybe I'll win.'

With Team politics robbing him a chance to actually attack Contador his thoughts maybe worth following.

Best regards,
Manoj