Vincenzo Nibali held onto his nearly 3 week non-stop lead today and won the 2014 Tour de France.
From the top stop of the victory podium on the Champs Elysee he said: “It’s the most important moment, the most beautiful moment. Standing on this podium on the Champs-Élysées is something unique and standing on the highest step is even more beautiful than I could ever have imagined.” He thanked everyone and Astana general manager Alexandre Vinokourov was beaming.
Nibali was the first Italian to win since Pantani in 1998. This year saw two Frenchmen on the podium, which had been even longer of a wait, more than 30 years. Pinot and Peraud succeed Laurent Fignon and Bernard Hinault who won in the 1980s.
Nibalie has won the Giro d’Italia in 2013 as well as the Vuelta d’Espana in 2010.
