HOPE: "Le Missile" Cavendish wins today's final Stage

GLORY: Wiggo becomes the first British rider to win the Tour De France

The HOPE and GLORY - today's finish:

1: Mark Cavendish
2: Chris Froome
3: Bradley Wiggins

4: Accompanied by Edward Elgar's "Pomp & Circumstance" (well at least in my house they will)

Question: Has any nation in the history of the TdF ever had the first 3 riders home on the final stage

Bradley Wiggins, a Lancashire hero

It will be a great moment for Great Britain today.

To answer your question Richard, the French certainly have, doing a liitle digging and may find more

Belgium in 1920,

Giving the old grey matter something to do on a Sunday morning, relaxing on the patio enjoying the sunshine.

None post war, the Swiss had winners in '50, '51 and a 2nd and 3rd in '54.
My neighbour is the retired sports editor for Mirror Group Newspapers, I am relying on his knowledge here, quite fascinating listening to him recalling these events, normally can't wait to get away from him

Taz
So if I read you right (or your neighbour) are we saying that only Belgium have had a 1,2,3 finish at the end of the last Stage of the TdF

I cannot find anything on-line about this - but then again - I'm probably the world's worst on-line researcher

The French language version of the Tour De France official website states that since 1903 the French have finished the Tour 1st, 2nd, and 3rd a total of 10 times, (1903,4,5,6,7,11,23,30,34, and 1947) and the Belgium's once in 1920. No other nation has achieved that feat.

But that does not answer my question, as I seek to discover not the final race classification of 1,2,and 3 but - has any nation finished 1st, 2nd, 3rd across the finish line on the very last Stage of the TdF in Paris regardless of the rider's final overall race classification.

So does anyone out there know

Could it be that if Mark, Chris and Bradley achieve a 1/2/3 in Paris this afternoon they would be setting a new TdF race statistic that even the French have not yet managed to secure

The French aren't going to like that.

After 1966, I wonder if they'll go looking for technicalities again

http://www.theitalianjob.com/worksminis_coopersatmonte.htm

Ohh, I see Richard, I will consult the Oracle and see if he knows

Technicalities, the French are already looking into that, apparently this year has seen a large proportion of Time Trial sections, they are looking to bring the figure down next year which will not suit some riders, ie; the British ones.

Well I didn't quiet get the result I wanted - no 1,2,3, - but hell that was a great race back n forth along the banks of the Seine with the Sky Team doing a superb job of last 1km catch-up.

Bradley bringing them out of the tunnel for the last time - superb leadership to give Cavendish the launch pad he needed to fly up the last 500mtrs. Brilliant team tactics. I cannot remember such a thrilling final last stage race around the Champs.

Deserved champions - the whole squad of riders and full backstage crew. History has been forged out of magnificant individual and team endeavours. MAGNIFIQUE

I watched the last 6km or so, quite good to watch, but I really couldnt watch the whole race, like some i know

Excellent race, different nationalities shoulder to shoulder, on the bikes and in the crowd, sport as it should be

Richard, the French have had all three across the line in 1st, 2nd and 3rd on the final stage and won the tournament 1,2 and 3, don't think anyone else has had three across the line on the last stage.

Let's celebrate first GB winner, well done, to all the team, not just the GB members

Wonderful by the British team.
Never thought it would ever happen. Wiggins will be in serious demand now by the mulitnationals and good luck to him

The B er made me cry when he rode over the start/finish line. Huge step for British cycling and a much needed lift for British sport in general just before London  Another member of the failed FL2 clutch/DMF club, twice.

Pegleg wrote:

Huge step for British cycling

I'm already starting to curse Wiggo, Cav n Froome.

Shortly after the race had finished a mate of mine in Blighty (whose just a few years younger than me) telephoned me and said: "well if Jens Vogt can do a complete TdF and lead out the riders for 5 laps of the Champs at the age of 41yrs, then when I get to my 60th in 3yrs time are you [meaning me] up for a John O'Groats to Land's End ride to celebrate?

Before I could answer - her Ladyship who was ear-wigging - chipped in with a: "I'd better come along in a support medivac vehicle to prevent you two geriatrics from ending up in a cardiac unit."

So if his mad idea ever comes off when he's 60 (and I'll be +nnnn) then we'll need all the FL2 support back-up vehicles all along the 800+mls

Last edited by dunroof on 23rd Jul 2012 10:39 pm. Edited 1 time in total

Piece of cake Dunroof when I compare it with the pass outside: Google - Klausenpass

Although I have to admit that NO Caravans or HGV's are allowed on the Klausen (too dangerous) and to drive a tourist Coach over, the operator has to a) apply for permission and pay the fee, plus, b) the driver has to have passed the special "Swiss Alpine Coach" driving test.