André Greipel (Lotto Soudal) kept his grand tour streak alive and saved his 2016 Tour de France on the last possible occasion by taking his second consecutive victory on the Champs-Elysees. After a great lead-out from Lotto Soudal, he came around Alexander Kristoff (Katusha) and held off a fast-finishing Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) to take his first victory in this year’s race. Chris Froome and the rest of the Sky team finished safely far behind the peloton to confirm the third overall victory for the Brit while Romain Bardet (Ag2r) and Nairo Quintana (Movistar) defended their podium places.

 

We have gathered several reactions.

 

Chris Froome: I can’t wait to be back here next year

Chris Froome has been crowned the winner of the 2016 Tour de France, taking his third victory in the prestigious Grand Tour, and Team Sky's fourth.

 

Crossing the line flanked by his team-mates after 21 days of racing, Froome capped a momentous performance to write another page in the history of Team Sky and British cycling.

 

Claiming the yellow jersey by an eventual winning margin of four minutes and five seconds, Froome laid the foundations for victory during an attentive opening week, before snatching the lead with a daring late downhill dig on stage eight into Bagneres-de-Luchon.

 

Surviving a well-publicised scare while attacking on Mont Ventoux, Froome rebounded to pad out his advantage in the mountains, and in the race's two time trials, the second of which brought another victory on stage 18.

 

Despite a late crash on a slick Alpine descent with two days to go, Froome came home a dominant winner, backed up by an equally dominant eight Team Sky team-mates and staff.

 

The team's seventh Tour de France marked the first time all nine riders had finished together in Paris, and they did so decked out in custom yellow Rapha kit.

 

Sergio Henao, Wout Poels and Mikel Nieve have combined to form a superb triple threat in the high mountains, setting a searing tempo and chasing down attacks, all the while looking after the interests of Froome.

 

Mikel Landa and Vasil Kiryienka also put in huge mountain shifts, in addition to exemplary domestique work. Embodying that team spirit was Geraint Thomas, who again rode a mightily impressive race, and famously gave up his bike for Froome in the shadow of Mont Blanc.

 

Ian Stannard battled back from a hard crash on stage 12 to support Froome every step of the way, with Luke Rowe again demonstrating an old head on young shoulders as road captain, combining with Stannard to grind out kilometre after kilometre on the front.

 

Rowe particularly enjoyed the run for home, attacking briefly alongside Poels and bridging to the day's breakaway with 18km to go.

 

In a moving speech on the podium in Paris, Froome paid tribute to his teammates, his growing family and everyone affected by the tragic Nice attacks which took place during the race.

 

He said: "To my teammates and support team - this is your yellow jersey too. I wouldn't be standing here if it wasn't for your commitment and sacrifice.

 

"A massive thank you to Dave Brailsford, and my coach Tim Kerrison. This is one special team - and I'm so proud to be a part of it!

 

"To Michelle my wife and my son Kellan - your love and support make everything possible. Kellan, I dedicate this victory to you.

 

"This tour has obviously taken place against the backdrop of terrible events in Nice, and we pay our respects once again to those who have lost their lives in this terrible event. Of course these kind of events put sport into perspective, but they also show why the values of sport are so important to free society.

 

"We all love the Tour de France because it's unpredictable, but we love the Tour more for what stays the same. The passion of the fans from every nation along the roadside, the beauty of the French countryside, and the bonds of friendship created through sport. These things will never change.

 

"Vive Le Tour, et Vive La France!"

 

He added on TV: “It's amazing, amazing. It doesn't wear off after two times. Rolling on the Champs-Elysées is the same, it's an amazing feeling. My team-mates have emptied themselves every day, so it was important to show on the finishing line this is a team sport, this is what it's all about, what we've worked for…

 

”To be reunited with my boy here and to be able to hold him in my hands again is really special. He went a little bit ballistic with all the photographers, but it's such an amazing feeling…”

 

Chris Froome believes it will be tough to match the feeling of winning his third Tour de France title.

 

And the 31 year old said he felt just the same as he did after winning his first title in 2013, with the same emotions sweeping over him.

 

"It's hard to get much better than this," he said. "This could have been the first one all over again. I'm feeling the same kind of emotions. Even though I've been here before it still hits home just how big this feels."

 

And Froome admitted that he would love to return and fight for further Tour titles.

 

He added: "That would be incredible, absolutely amazing. I'd love to come back. Every time I ride onto the Champs-Élysées I think I can't wait to be back here again next year. Let's see."

 

Sadly the 2016 edition of the race was marred by disaster in France, with a terror attack in Nice subduing the mood.

 

"It really does put things into perspective for us," opined Froome. "When we're here on the road we feel as if we're in a bubble, but when events happen like those in Nice, it really does put things into perspective.

 

"It makes you think long and hard about values and what sport is all about. It's been a real testament to the race that things have continued as normal, and to the French public also, for how they have been - showing that life goes on, and they are not going to deterred by these attacks."

 

Dave Brailsford: We’ll come back and do it again next year

Team Principal Dave Brailsford was equally delighted, and admitted to feeling incredibly proud to be British.

 

He said: "It's a British success story and the team was perfect. I'm proud to be British today. We weren't a cycling nation not so long ago and I think we are now!

 

"It's very satisfying, I'm very happy, and this was by far the most enjoyable Tour I think we've done. We raced differently, we used a different, more effective offensive set of tactics - it was fun, it was racing - and as always you get to this point, you get to Paris, you see the Union Jacks and you feel proud.

 

"It's a British success story I'd like to think and the team was perfect.

 

"Chris is a phenomenal, talented guy, and the way he's ridden this year has been brilliant, we've had the best team performance we've ever had, we've finished with nine guys - we've done 20 Grand Tours, we've never finished with nine guys! 

 

"It's the best team performance we've put together and Chris was brilliant, so overall it's been a great three weeks. We'll come back and do it again next year!"

 

Geraint Thomas: There were no egos in our team

Geraint Thomas, who was key to Froome's success once again, described the Tour as 'incredible'.

 

"It's been an incredible few weeks really," he said. "Everyone has been talking about it but the strength of the team has been phenomenal. We had five climbers basically to support Froomey, all of us have led big races individually, and we've all come together.

 

"It's one thing having strong individuals but it's another thing riding well together and there were no egos, we committed for each other, every day we rode for Froomey and it paid off."

 

André Greipel: I am one of the best so you can always rely on me

“I can't describe it,” André Greipel said. “I'm just super proud of what we've achieved today. I've raced for three weeks for that. The team kept believing in me. We've tried many times and we walk away from the Tour with two stage wins, with Thomas De Gendt and myself.

 

”This morning, we had a good plan. There was a head wind at the end. I just tried to stay calm. Once we hit the finale, we were one guy too short so I chose to follow Alexander Kristoff who was the strongest. But this is another stage win at the Tour de France. It's wonderful. Today Kristoff’s wheel was the right. Winning here remains incredible,

 

"Whether I ever doubted myself? No, I'll always fight andwork hard to do my best. I know I'm one of the best sprinters in the world and when the time comes, you can on rely me. My team also stood behind me. I knew that I was not bad, but you also need luck. If I had won in Angers, then you have a completely different story. I always tell myself, ‘sometimes it rains and rains even a little longer, but eventually the sun will always shine.'

 

"At last the sun is shining. The past weeks we did our utter best to achieve our goals, but unfortunately without success. If you win the final stage on the Champs-Elysées it was worth fighting for though. For sprinters this is the most beautiful place on earth to win. I have to thank everyone at Lotto Soudal for believing in me. The past years we achieved a lot together. I am proud of that. Without my team I wouldn’t have been able to set these kind of results for so many years.

 

"I am particularly pleased that the team kept believing in me. Today was perfect, we had a plan and stayed with it until the end. The plan was to come to the front in the end and stay there and stay calm. I kept myself calm and chose the wheel of Kristoff. I did not launch the sprint, but let him do that and I am very happy that I could finish it off. After three weeks, this is a nice reward. "

 

Lotto Soudal manager: Greipel has never disappointed us

Lotto Soudal showed itself to the world the past three weeks. Thomas De Gendt was by far the best rider of the Belgian team, he was very active during the entire Tour. De Gendt won the twelfth stage on Mont Ventoux and he wore the polka dot jersey for six days. In the end he finished second in the KOM classification. The Belgian received the award for most combative rider twice and he is second in the election of most combative rider of the entire Tour. Until todayAndré Greipel hadn’t been able to win a stage this Tour, but this victory is a brilliant one. Marc Sergeant, manager of Lotto Soudal, is very pleased with the result.

 

“The goals before this Tour were clear: try to win a stage with André Greipel and give some riders the freedom to show themselves. It took a long time before we achieved that first goal, but in the end we did and that’s all that matters. In Angers André lost with a tyre’s length against Cavendish, our Tour could have been very differently from then on.

 

"It’s true that it wasn’t always easy for Greipel in the sprint stages. He’s at his best when the sprint is well organized and if trains can be formed. At this Tour, the sprint stages were very hectic and it always took a lot of energy to position André as well as possible. Of course, Mark Cavendish was one of the main competitors beforehand. Although I had never thought he would be able to win four stages. The hectic sprints suit him really well, he’s able to position himself on his own.

 

“The other aim was to win a stage with one of our attackers, that worked out well with Thomas De Gendt and he did it in an extraordinary way. In my opinion, Thomas obtained a stage win on one of the most prestigious finishes there are. He also rode in the spotlight during several stages by joining the breakaway and he managed to wear the polka dot jersey for six days. It’s true that Rafal Majka was the better climber but Thomas really gave his all.

 

"Until the very last day, he showed the world what he’s capable of. Therefore he obtained a really nice result in the classification of the most combative rider. He was second just after Peter Sagan. That’s a pity, but it isn’t a shame to finish behind a rider like Sagan. I think that you can compare these two riders, if you look at the will to attack. Thomas really showed himself during this Tour and he put Lotto Soudal in the spotlight.

 

"This is the icing on the cake," team manager Marc Sergeant told Het Nieuwsblad. "We already had a victory with Thomas De Gendt, but this is a nice bonus."

 

"We had to wait and wait again with André Greipel but we continued to believe in him. André has never disappointed us and he delivers again, even on the Champs Elysees. This has enormous value. It is already the sixth year in a row that he has given us a win at the Tour, a total of eleven. They call it German thoroughness. I'm very happy for him and for our team it was successful. "

 

"We are always in him believe," Jurgen Roelandts said. "He was in good condition, he took it easy in the mountains. It just had to succeed once. And we do it here, in Paris, just like last year. It should be a pleasant evening here."

 

Thomas De Gendt proud of memorable Tour de France

“I aimed for a stage win but I knew it wouldn’t be easy," he said. "There are a lot of riders who want to win a stage in the Tour de France. It’s a bit easier for the time trialists, punchers, sprinters or pure climbers to obtain a victory. For attackers like myself it’s rather difficult because you need to be 99 times in a break before you win a stage. But if you win on a mythical place like Mont Ventoux, it’s absolutely worth it of course.

 

"The team gives me the opportunity to join the breakaways but it’s hard to predict whether you’ll be part of it or not. I felt really good during this Tour. That was also the case last year, but then I crashed. This year I had some difficulties in the beginning of the final week but at the end I was still able to show myself a few times.

 

“It was a real dream to wear the polka dot jersey in the Tour de France. I was able to wear that jersey for six days and it was an amazing feeling. Rafal Majka was really strong and on the crucial moments he was the better climber. Naturally, I’d preferred to wear the polka dot jersey until Paris but Majka was simply the best. It’s obvious if you take a look at the difference in the classification. It’s difficult for me to win the mountains classification with the current point system anyway.

 

"Also in the classification of the most combative rider I finished second, here it was Peter Sagan who was first. I really gave my all to win this prize so I’m a bit disappointed of course, but Sagan deserved this win. He’s a very aggressive rider and he always wants to race. He attacks at unexpected moments and he can finish off an effort. He’s a true blessing for cycling. Also in this classification I was beaten by a better rider so it’s easier to deal with that.

 

"I’m very happy about my efforts of the past three weeks and I finished at the 40th place on GC and seventh in the points classification while I didn’t aim to gain points on every occasion. This result shows that I was in great shape.”

 

Romain Bardet: This is an encouragement for the future

"It's a big moment,” Romain Bardet said. “My joy is enormous, for me and for the team but I'm yet to realize what happened. I had mixed feelings after the Dauphiné and everything went well here.

 

”I've changed a few things. In previous years, I left the Tour with some frustrations but there's nothing like that today. I only have to enjoy the moment.

 

”I found the podium ceremony very impressive in 2014 for the teams' classification and also for the super combative prize last year. This result is above the others. I take it as an encouragement.”

 

Ag2r manage: We will invest in a team around Bardet

”Obviously, there is a lot of happiness and satisfaction at the end of this Tour de France,” manager Vincent Lavenu said. “Over the last three weeks our riders have built an effective team dynamic. Romain proved he was at the same level as Tour leaders, therefore, he is one of the best rider in the world.

 

“His teammates all grouped together to assist him during the competition. Thanks to their hard work Romain made a proper tour de force when he won Saint-Gervais stage.

 

”We are more than enthusiastic because it is the outcome of our season. Romain is a real competitor who always wants to improve his skills. He definitely deserves his victory and his second place overall.

 

”AG2R LA MONDIALE has, also, a lot of merit because we did some hard work to bring this team in the UCI World Tour. In our group we are convinced we have a true cycling champion. He is someone that worth the effort of investing time and money in a competitive team around him.

 

”The Saint-Gervais victory is certainly my best memory because Romain is on the GC podium after the stage. In the last kilometer of the climb we knew he was about to make it. It was a moment of intense emotions for us all. As usual, we cried in the car and it was an unforgettable instant.

 

”The podium in Paris is also something wonderful because it is the outcome of so much efforts. I have also in mind our roster real team spirit. All AG2R LA MONDIALE riders worked hand in hand to make this victory and this podium possible.

”Romain and Alexis [Vuillermoz] will get a plane soon in order to go to the Summer Olympics with the French national team. In the end of the season Romain will also ride Giro di Lombardia. We have to stay competitive for the UCI World Tour teams ranking because there are many great teams to beat. Romain’s second place overall is fantastic but we must pursue our efforts until the end of the season.”

 

Lavenu also announced the next races for some of his riders:

 

Cyril Gautier / Ben Gastauer / Mikaël Cherel : Clasica Ciclista San Sebastian (July 30th)
Samuel Dumoulin / Alexis Gougeard : Polynormande (July 31th)
Alexis Vuillermoz / Romain Bardet : Olympic Games in Rio (august 6th)
Jan Bakelants : Vuelta a Espana (August 20th - 11th september)
Domenico Pozzovivo : Vuelta a Burgos (August 2-6)

 

Peter Sagan: Now I just need another two green jerseys

After three weeks, twenty-one stages and 3,519km, Tinkoff had taken three stage wins, three days in the yellow jersey, the Maillot Vert and Maillot à Pois, the Super Combative rider prize and a top ten in the GC overall. On the 103rd edition of the Tour de France, this was the team’s most successful edition of La Grande Boucle. Today, it would all end on the Champs Élysées, where the UCI World Champion, Peter Sagan, took his fifth Maillot Vert in a row, while Rafal Majka took his second Maillot à Pois.

 

Matching their equipment to their jerseys, Peter Sagan and Rafal Majka started the day on their custom green and polka dot Specialized bikes. The first 50km of the stage gave all riders a chance to consider the race behind them before the pace ramped up for the finale.

Having suffered an early setback with Alberto Contador’s crashes on stages 1 and 2, the team continued a spirited ride, taking the yellow jersey after Sagan’s win on stage 2 and holding it for three days, before racing to take the green jersey and then the polka dot jersey. On the penultimate stage, a hard ride from Roman Kreuziger pushed the Czech national road champion into the GC top ten, Sagan Peter was awarded the prize for the most combative rider of the Tour.

 

Looking back on the Tour, Sport Director, Steven De Jongh, had every reason to be happy with the team’s strong performance.

 

“Overall it was a good Tour. It was very unfortunate that we lost Alberto after two stages really, as after that he was not the same. All the boys did well though, especially Peter – he was showing himself as a true champion – yesterday he helped Roman to get into the top ten and before that he helped Rafa go in the decisive break for the polka dot jersey. He was an amazing team-mate.”

 

In characteristically humble style, in spite of taking three stage wins, Sagan was also pleased to have been in a position to support the other Tinkoff riders.

 

“The first victory and second victory were amazing, and I also tried to help my teammates, and all the Tour went very well - it was a good Tour de France. I enjoyed helping my teammates.”

 

Arriving on the Champs Élysées as the sun dipped lower in the sky, the race was on. A breakaway came and went but the entire peloton knew how the stage was going to end today. With the pace increasing ever faster with each of the eight final circuits, racing was frenetic with teams jostling for position and pushing to get their rider to the front to take the final sprint of the race. Keeping guard at the front of the race, the Tinkoff riders were keeping the Green Jersey safe and ensuring the Sagan had a chance to contest the finish.

 

As riders came round the final bend, Sagan was surrounded by teammates keeping him safe, dropping away as the sprint began. In spite of the Maillot Vert coming from behind and surging forward with an incredible pace, he was just beaten to the line. His second spot added to his tally of points however, and ended the race having taken a total of 470 points and three stage wins.

 

Sagan’s strong ride crowned a great edition of the Tour for the UCI World Champion.

 

“The Tour de France has always been good for me - the last two years I didn't win but this year I won three stages and I'm happy for that. That’s cycling. I always try to give my best and nearly got a fourth today. The Tour is different each year. Until now, it always gone well for me."

 

“I started my sprint a little late today, but Andre did a good sprint and I'm happy for him to have won a stage too. Everybody's happy. Now after the Tour de France I can go and relax a little bit, and I will then go for the mountain bike at the Olympics. It would be something special for me as I started in mountain bikes. That would be nice.

 

“My best memories of this Tour? There are too many: the three stage wins, the great work of the team and tonight's party in Paris. We're all very happy. The Olympic Games are next for me. I'll go back to the roots [mountain biking].

 

"I still need two green jerseys [to get the record].”

 

At the finish, De Jongh, was pleased to see Sagan brought to the line safely by the team after 21 hard stages.

 

“Today was a very nice day and at the end the boys did a good job to bring Peter to the finish in a good position. Greipel was really strong and second is still a good result. There were a lot of crashes and flats, but our guys stayed out of trouble.”

 

In what will be the Tinkoff team’s last Tour de France, De Jongh was taking away good memories of a spirited ride in the world’s most famous cycling event.

 

“We leave with two leaders' jerseys and with a very good memory as the Tinkoff team as we've showed that we're very strong, and we leave with a very good feeling and very good memories.”

 

Rafal Majka: This is not my last polka-dot jersey

For Rafal Majka, his win in the mountains classification was as exciting as the first time he took the prize in the 2014 Tour.

 

“I don't think this win is any different from the first – it's like I've won it for the first time. I'm so happy with this jersey, and happy for my teammates as this year we've done a really great Tour de France as a team, a top ten with Roman and two jerseys with Peter also the most aggressive rider. We were always there fighting every stage and giving our best.”

 

For Majka, triumphing through adversity through teamwork was one of the key features of the Tour for him.

 

“After five years this is our last season as Tinkoff and we did our best, not only me but all the team – also fighting for Roman's top ten and our jerseys, as well as three stage wins – it has been a great Tour de France. After our bad luck at the start of the Tour it was hard but we had a good talk with the Sport Directors and knew we had to fight for our other goals and we did.

 

“After five years, it's hard to say goodbye to the team but we have done our best: the top 10 with Roman [Kreuziger], Peter's jersey and mine. That's my second one but not my last one.

 

”We've done a great team work. It's like if it was my first time. I'm happy, especially after the back luck we had at the beginning. Cycling is a very hard sport, particularly mentally. You have to be very strong.”

 

Nairo Quintana: I am disappointed not to have provided a spectacle, I want to animate the Vuelta

André Greipel (LTS) came victorious in Paris as the 103rd Tour de France took its curtains down this Sunday following a festive, final stage on the Champs-Elysées, where the riders had to push their final energies through the eight laps of the sport's most famous avenue.The Movistar Team, which came with the biggest aspirations to this year's 'Grande Boucle', couldn't complete its main goal - the yellow jersey - yet they completed their efforts with generous rewards.

 

Nairo Quintana completed the race in third spot overall - his fourth Grand Tour podium finish, following his win in the 2014 Giro and runner-up places in the 2013 & 2015 Tours de France - as the Blues conquered a magnificent stage win with Ion Izagirre in Morzine yesterday (the 32nd victory for Eusebio Unzué's squad in 34 appearances) and took their second consecutive triumph in the team GC - fourth in their history after 2015, 1999 and 1991, the latter two as Banesto. The telephone squad has also achieved a remarkable milestone as one or more riders from its team have finished within the top four overall for the tenth Grand Tour in  a row (2013 Tour onwards). All of that, without leaving aside Alejandro Valverde's sixth-place finish following his Giro d'Italia GC podium.

 

“I head back home from this Tour full of happiness - it's a major feat for me to finish on the podium after all difficulties I had to go through in this race,” explained Quintana. “We rounded off our performance well, with big joy yesterday as our team-mate and friend Ion took that stage win. That was a success we had been chasing during the entire Tour. 

 

”Regarding the team, I just can say 'thank you' - they helped me out so much. The team GC victory is a well-deserved reward for them: my team-mates fought and gave their best every single day to do what we had planned, and that visit to the podium is quite a prize for the whole group, including our staff.”

 

“Our overview after the race can only be positive,” the Colombian insisted after completing his third Tour podium finish in the 'Grande Boucle' in as many appearances, aged just 26. “It's obvious that we came into this race with a much bigger and ambitious goal, but we've got many years ahead to keep trying. A podium in the Tour de France, the biggest race of them all, makes you feel really happy. This goes to all our fans, my family, dad and mom, who always pray for me so things go right for me.

 

”I also want to congratulate Froome: he's a big rival, the biggest one I have to face in my sporting career, and I'm sure that this rivalry will last for many years. Sometimes he wins, sometimes - as seen during this season - it's my turn to win.

 

“I've done the Tour three times and the podium three times. I can only be happy. After so many kilometers, so much work, to be on the podium is gratifying and always a success.

 

”Froome was untouchable and much superior on this Tour. Team Sky has always raced at a high level. They have riders of a big potential and they know how to race as a team.

 

”I'm disappointed to not have been able to create more of spectacle. Some of my physique has gone missing. I've suffered from allergies. It takes many years to reach the pinnacle but if I keep trying and working, I'll make it. I'll keep chasing my yellow dream.

 

”My family is my support. They make me stronger. Without them, I wouldn't do a thing.

 

”I won't take part in the Olympic Games. I want to recover and be ready for the Vuelta a España to give emotions and animate the race.”

 

Alejandro Valverde: It doesn’t matter whether I could have been on the podium

Alejandro Valverde continued to improve what already was a fantastic season for him.

 

“We're super happy with these results. We took third overall, we won the teams' classification, also one stage... these results are difficult to improve.

 

”A stage for me, you ask? It was hard. As I was still up there within the top GC guys, I was always on a leash; it already happened in Andorra on day nine. Making the breakaways was impossible for me. 

 

”Maybe I had podium legs? To be honest, it doesn't matter at all. I was strong, and one with my quality clearly has to be ambitious, but to me it was clear what my role in this Tour was. We came here to support Nairo and he's on the podium - winning is always difficult, it'll be up for another year to claim it. That support was the only thing that counted. 

 

”The success we got in this Tour goes to those who couldn't enjoy this podium with us – Gorka [Izagirre], Jesús [Herrada] ; we just hope they get back to 100% as soon as possible.

 

“Right now, my legs are feeling tired, but there's still two weeks before the Rio Olympics' road race - I'm sure we will be well recovered by August 6."

 

Movistar satisfied with Tour de France outcome

Eusebio Unzué shares entirely the views of his two main GC references:

 

“I'm very satisfied. Ion's victory yesterday was the first wish, even though not the main, we took the start of the race with: claiming one of those stage wins and raise our arms in the Tour again after three years. Fortunately, Ion rode impeccably from the start of the stage, in the last chance for the team. That downhill of the Joux Plane, contesting the victory against two world-class descenders like him - Nibali & Pantano - became a huge victory which rounds off a good race for us.

 

“Nairo's third place marks his third podium appearance in the race, which I consider already a massive feat. Also, there's the team GC - it's a ranking we hold dear, it's back-to-back victories in that classification for us, too. Surely we could have done things better, but seeing how the race developed, we must remain happy with this result."

 

Alexander Kristoff: Greipel was the faster man

The final stage in the 103rd Tour de France rode into the City of Light to end in a mass sprint along the famous Champ-Élysées. Right in position to challenge for the win was Team KATUSHA’s Alexander Kristoff, striking out for the finish line, but just missing the victory and earning third place behind André Greipel of Lotto-Soudal and world champion Peter Sagan of Tinkoff.

 

”I think Greipel was just the faster man. I had a really good position. Jacopo [Guarnier] brought me to the front like I wanted so I could start with 200 meters to go, but I couldn’t hold the other guys off. I tried to keep Greipel and Sagan behind me, but in the end I could not so that was a pity. I did my best but it was not good enough. I think my shape was good at the Tour. I showed I was good enough to win stages here, just making a small mistake in Bern to prevent the win there. At the end I have to be satisfied, but I came here to win a stage and did not manage to do that so of course I am disappointed, too,” said team leader Alexander Kristoff.

 

”We started this Tour with two goals: a top 10 finish overall and a stage win. We tried to win yesterday and also several days ago, when Joaquim was second. Today we knew that Alexander was one of the favorites. In the past two years he was second and third, so he always has good results here. The team did very good work. Alex had to pay a little bit for his efforts in the last 3 kms after a crash. From 3 km to 1 km he had to work to come into the front, so I think when it came to the sprint he lacked a little bit from previously using some energy to move up,” said director José Azevedo. The 113 km stage began in Chantilly and ended in Paris.

 

Joaquim Rodriguez: It wa a surprise for me to arrive alone on the Champs-Elysees

Team KATUSHA’s leader Joaquim Rodriguez was seventh at 6:58. As the peloton of 175 rolled onto the Champ- Élysées, ‘Purito’ Rodriguez was honored by his peers by entering the race course first ahead of yellow jersey Chris Froome and his Team Sky. Having announced his upcoming retirement from his home area of Andorra on the first rest day almost two weeks ago, Rodriguez waved to the crowds and gave a big thumbs-up to the camera as he said goodbye to the Tour de France. In his career he rode five Tours, won 3 stages, took 3rd place in 2013 and 7th this year and wore the polka dot King of the Mountain jersey for 9 days in his career.

 

- It was a surprise for me to arrive alone on the Champ-Élysées. First Maté of Cofidis came to me and said ‘Purito’ you should enter the Champ-Élysées first. I said no. But then Sagan came, and then Froome, and then my teammates. It was so beautiful. In the end this was a good Tour. I made some mistakes, but that is the Tour. The Tour gave me so much. I finished here on the podium in 2013. I never did win a grand tour, but I do not regret anything. Now I will race the Clásica San Sebastián and the Olympics in Rio,” concluded team leader Joaquim Rodriguez.

 

“When we set our goal for top ten on the GC, it could have been the podium or it could be tenth place. He did a very good race and it showed in the last week that he is a strong rider and now he finishes in 7th place. We can be happy with this result. It is important to remember the problems he’s had this season and the many interruptions he’s had in his preparation for this Tour de France. He finished this race showing his capacity and quality as a rider,” said team director Azevedo.

 

Katusha: Ilnur Zakarin is the future of our team

Ilnur Zakarin did a very good Tour de France, especially remembering his Giro crash. Zakarin took a very nice victory at stage 17 and managed to finish 25th in final general classification of the Tour.

 

”Ilnur Zakarin is the future of this team. He is a young rider and he showed what he could do in the Giro. Without his race-ending crash there, I think he would have finished in the top 5. Here he won a stage, during a period where he was ten days off the bike following his surgery after the Giro accident. He only started training 20 days before the Tour. It’s not only that he could win a stage – the work he did for Joaquim on yesterday’s stage was impressive. He is a rider who has the mental and physical capacity to be a leader in the team. He will always have the team on his side,” said team director José Azevedo.

 

Adam Yates: It just kind of happened

In just his second attempt at the world's biggest race, Adam Yates today became the first British rider to win the best young rider award at the Tour de France.

 

The 23-year old rode an impressive race to finish in fourth place overall, well above expectation giving ORICA-BikeExchange its best ever overall result at the Tour.

 

Three weeks of racing saw the Australian outfit top the team classification over the first few stages before Yates won the white jersey on stage seven and held it all the way to the finish in Paris.

 

A series of impressive performances over several tough mountain stages saw Yates move into second overall before slipping to fourth over the last two days of racing only 21seconds behind Nairo Quintana (Movistar) in third.

 

“We came here not really riding for the overall,” said a smiling Yates in Paris. “It just kind of happened and the whole team have been incredible in their support, all the riders and the staff who have worked so hard everyday.

 

“There has been no pressure, other than I what I put on myself, we approached the race day by day and I’m very happy with how its turned out this is a fantastic honour.

 

“I had a bad day on stage 19 and I wasn’t sure how my legs would respond but I recovered well and here we are. I’ve won the white jersey and fourth overall and that’s very satisfying.

 

“I wouldn’t say that we are disappointed not to have made the podium, it’s one of those things. This is only my second Tour and all of the guys ahead of me have competed for the general classification in previous Grand Tours so I think we have done very well.

 

“The future is ahead of me and I’m sure I will be back fighting for a podium place or even challenging for the Yellow Jersey. I will try my best, you never what will happen but I’m going to continue working hard and do everything possible to improve.

 

“It's a big honour to be here. On TV it might look like an easy stage but it wasn't. After three week, nothing has changed. I'm the same. I live it day by day. I'm not thinking of the future.”

 

The achievements of ORICA-BikeExchange at this year’s Tour de France have truly been down to a strong work ethic running throughout the Australian team.

 

Michael Matthews finally put some ghosts to bed by taking a brilliant victory on stage ten after Luke Durbridge and Daryl Impey controlled the breakaway and perfectly set up Matthews for the sprint and his first Tour de France stage win.

 

Selfless work by Durbridge, Chris Juul Jensen, Michael Albasini and road captainMathew Hayman kept the team constantly in good positions at the front of the race over the 21 stages.

 

South African Impey and Spaniard Ruben Plaza animated numerous breakaways and provided excellent support for Yates in the mountains on the races most challenging days.

 

2016 Tour Down Under champion Simon Gerrans was unfortunately forced to abandon the race after crashing heavily at speed on stage 12 and sustaining a broken collarbone.

 

Sport director Matt White praised the effort and performance of the whole team over the course of the race, in particular that of the 23-year old Yates.

 

“This has been a very gratifying Tour de France for us,” said White. “We came here with ambitions to win a stage, that was our main objective so in that respect the first few were days key for us.

 

“We targeted stages where we knew we had a good chance of getting a result and we did finally achieve that on stage ten, however once the first few days had passed we could begin to focus on the overall and the performances of Adam (Yates).

 

“Of course we knew that Adam is an incredible talent and full of potential and now I suppose the whole world also knows that. I think its very important not to put a 23-year old like Adam under too much pressure and as we saw he responded very well and maintained a high level of consistency.

 

“We have always had faith in Adam’s ability and the way the whole team rallied around him throughout the race has been extremely pleasing and we have achieved a great result. It really is sensational we have ticked every box, stage win, white jersey and fourth overall.”

 

Edvald Boasson Hagen ends fantastic Tour for Dimension Data with fourth place in Paris

After an incredible 3 weeks of racing, Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka put in one final fantastic performance during today’s last stage. Daniel Teklehaimanot made sure the African Team was represented in the famous Champs-Elysees breakaway and when it was certain that they would be caught, Steve Cummings closed down any further attacks to ensure a sprint finish.

 

Edvald Boasson Hagen was the man for the final and he had Bernie Eisel and Reinardt Janse van Rensburg for support in the final 5km. Eisel, the road captain, did an exceptional job to deliver Boasson Hagen to the last kilometer in an excellent position. It was always going to be difficult to get one over on the big names, but Boasson Hagen did superbly to cross the line in 4th place with a fast finish. Janse van Rensburg also secured another top 10 result for our African Team, placing 10th.

 

Head of Performance Rolf Aldag said:
 

“Today we did exactly what we have been doing for the last 3 weeks. We wanted to be on the offensive, show our team in the race and we wanted to get the fans interested in our team, showing them that we ride for Qhubeka.

 

”Daniel did a great job being present in the breakaway and then obviously the plan was to do the sprint for Edvald. We placed him as best as we could and Bernie Eisel did a tremendous job. It was probably the best leadout so late in the final that he has done in the last 10 year’s. It was a great job, totally sacrificing himself and then Edvald took the sprint on. Edvald was with the best but obviously winning the sprint on the Champs-Elysees is super difficult.

 

”We were there, we were present once again and I think with 5 stage wins in the pocket we can have a nice party tonight before we go home.”

 

Looking back on the 3 weeks that was the 2016 Tour de France, the 5 stage wins was more than any other team in the race. Mark Cavendish showed why he is the best sprinter in the world once again, with his 4 stage wins, a day in the yellow jersey, 6 days’ in the green jersey and taking his career tally of Tour stage wins up to 30 - the 2nd most in the history of the race behind Eddy Merckx’s 34 stage victories. Steve Cummings stage 7 win was just another incredible performance by a super talented individual.

 

The team were fantastic in supporting one another throughout the 21 stages and it showed by 6 of the 9 riders finishing with top 10 results. They had 15 top 10 placings to be proud of and Serge Pauwels 2nd place on Ventoux and Edvald Boasson Hagen’s 3rd place on stage 10 are two results that deserve a notable mention. All these results though were inspired by the goal to try and put 5000 African children on bicycles, through the #Qhubeka5000 campaign they ran during Le Tour.

 

Richie Porte: I will always think of what could have been

Richie Porte has secured his first top five result at the Tour de France as the peloton made their way onto the Champs-Elysées for the final stage of the race, which was won in a bunch sprint by Andre Greipel (Lotto-Soudal)

 

As is tradition, the peloton enjoyed a relaxed start to the 113km stage departing from Chantilly. Marcus Burghardt was part of a short-lived breakaway and Greg Van Avermaet launched an attack, before the sprinters' teams controlled the final laps on the Champs-Elysées.

 

Stage 21 wraps up a successful Tour de France for BMC Racing Team. In addition to Porte's General Classification result, Greg Van Avermaet leaves as winner of stage 5 and with three days in the yellow jersey to add to his palmarès. 

 

Porte not only claimed his best result ever at the Grand Tour, but is the best-placed Australian rider at the race since Cadel Evans' victory in 2011 with BMC Racing Team, and only the third Australian rider to crack the top five at the Tour de France. 

 

Van Avermaet now holds the record within BMC Racing Team as the rider to wear the yellow jersey for the most number of days, and the first rider to win a stage in two consecutive years.  

 

BMC Racing Team has claimed third place in the Team Classification, a testament to the work of the team around leaders Richie Porte and Tejay van Garderen. 

 

Below you can read what the riders had to say about their Tour.

 

Brent Bookwalter: "That's the Tour de France, pushing yourself to the absolute physical and mental limit. I definitely did that. I started kind of on a rough note but I had awesome support from the team. I'm proud to be finishing in Paris with a great group of guys."

 

Marcus Burghardt: "I think it was a pretty good Tour de France for us. I think every rider did a good job and we all came through healthy and with no major crashes, so that's already important. I think for the team it was a nice success to have the yellow jersey and winning a stage. Being up there on GC with Richie in 5th is great, especially as he could have been on the podium without his bad luck on stage 2. That's cycling and we can't change this. I was impressed that he stayed focused after this, which gave me motivation to do my best."

 

Damiano Caruso: "For me it was a great Tour de France because I think a did a good job for the team, for our two leaders. I'm happy to be in Paris with Richie in the top five. I think this makes us even more motivated for next year and I'm looking forward to being back here and fighting for the yellow jersey again."

 

Amaël Moinard: "We had a big goal to put one of our two leaders on the podium, which we remained focused on throughout the race. Then we had a big bonus with Greg Van Avermaet's stage win and the yellow jersey for three days, so that was a highlight of July, instead of focusing on Richie Porte's misfortune. Personally, starting the Tour de France in my home region was something really big. I will remember this for a long time, and it was also nice to be in the breakaway towards the end to try something for our leaders."

 

Richie Porte: "Fifth place, although a bit bittersweet, is a great result. I'll always think about what could have been with the time loss on stage 2, but it makes me even more hungry to back and try and win the yellow jersey. I had a great Tour, I climbed really well, and also had a bit of bad luck. I'm looking forward to coming back and giving it another shot with BMC Racing Team. I had great support from my teammates and all in all, it was a great experience."

 

Michael Schär: "It feels like it was three years ago that we were in Normandy for the start of the Tour de France! Once you start it goes very quickly and I had a great time. I think we had a very successful Tour with the yellow jersey, stage win, and top five in GC. Personally, I'm pretty happy with my performance here."

 

Greg Van Avermaet: "It's my most successful Tour de France. I was in the breakaway plenty of times, won a stage and especially I think wearing the yellow jersey for three days was something really special. It's been a really good Tour de France for me. My first Tour was really hard and I asked myself why did I have to come here. And now it's a bit different, I've had a lot of chances and it couldn't get any better than this."

 

Tejay van Garderen: "It's been a very memorable three weeks of racing. I was glad to be able to share in all of the successes of the team. My personal goals weren't really accomplished but I'm certainly proud to be here in Paris with this group of guys."

 

Jim Ochowicz: "From day one until Paris we were completely on the offense in the race and we were animating the race. We were focused on the race and never lost our concentration. Throughout all of that we won a stage with Greg, we spent three days in yellow with Greg, we got Richie into fifth place at the end of the race and we were the third best team overall. We won a lot of prizes along the way and we were the best team for 12 days. When you add all of that up and look at what we have been doing compared to our competition, I think everyone has done a great job here and now we've got a great foundation to build on and work from for 2017."

 

Yvon Ledanois, Sports Director: "I'm really proud to be here in Paris with these eight guys. We can be really happy with the way the guys have raced over the past three weeks. Bad luck aside, fifth place is a good result for Richie, and to have the yellow jersey for three days with Greg was amazing. We had a strong team and this makes us even more motivated for next year."

 

Jasper Stuyven: It’s nice to be in the top 10 on the Champs-Elysees

As each year, the sprinters had the last battle of the three-week Tour de France: a clash on the legendary Champs-Elysées, arguably the 'world championship' of fastmen, where Jasper Stuyven sprinted to a respectable 6th place.

 

This is the Tour de France, and the final sprint into Paris is always a highly celebrated affair with the whole world watching. When the action rose to a fury in the final two laps, Trek-Segafredo was prominent at the front, ending the three long weeks with one last cohesive effort.

 

As the sprint unfolded in the final meters, Stuyven was in prime position for the dash to the line and ended the greatest cycling race in the world with a proper top ten result.

 

"Markel (Irizar) took care of me from the moment when we came to the local laps when it got a little bit nervous," explained Stuyven. "And then with one and a half laps to go the team did a great job. We were a little bit too early on the front, but I think on this course, it's better to be early than coming from the back because we don't have the sprint train. I think we managed well, they put me in good position.

 

"I am happy to finish the Tour. This is a bigger achievement, and I am happier now than when I finished my first grand tour, the Vuelta, in 2014. It was a good day today, I started the Tour well, and I finished out today with a 6th place on the Champs-Elysées. It's nice to say that I did a top 10 on the Champs-Elysées. Unfortunately, the other guys were faster; I tried to hang on there, but I am still happy with 6th."

 

Bauke Mollema: It’s my best and my worst Tour

Despite dropping from second to eleventh place overall, and the dream of standing on the final podium shattered after a crash-marred stage 19, Bauke Mollema and Trek-Segafredo, though disappointed, have recognized many positives from the 2016 Tour de France.

 

"The Tour overall was a great ride," said Mollema. "The team was in full support for me and until two days ago, it looked really good. Misfortune like that is an intrinsic part of our sport. The difference is how you take it. How you deal with it.

 

"Eleventh is my worst Tour if you look at the number. Yet, it was my best. I'll be proud of this in a couple of days when the disappointment is over. There are a number of highlights. That first TT, for example, is a moment I will remember forever.

 

After completing the three-week grand tour on the Champs-Elysées Sunday, Trek-Segafredo can head home holding their heads high. Although, they have no tangible confirmation of the team's unbelievable performance for 19 days, Bauke Mollema and the entire team raced beyond expectations, holding second place overall until misfortune hit.

 

Only days from Paris, Trek-Segafredo was so close to achieving an enormous result and yet, as director Kim Andersen explained, in cycling, there's always a small gap from success to nothing. 

 

Andersen said: "We always knew it was a really small gap from success to nothing. For the moment, it's close to nothing, I mean we are still 11th, but from where we came three days ago. But on the other hand, I think with this 11th place the team and Bauke had accomplished much more than when he was seventh [last year]. The team was much more visible all race, and if he had finished on the podium, it would have been a really, really big success.

 

"We can say we did not reach our goals, to win a stage and finish in the top 10, but in the other way, we started the Tour really well with the two young guys, Jasper Stuyven and Edward Theuns, who did a good job. The team was present in the first week, and then Bauke took over. We had some fantastic days, and for sure we hoped it would continue on.”

 

Bauke Mollema's best finish was a 6th place in the 2013 Tour de France and a seventh last year. Never has he dueled with the best, but this year Mollema surprised many, taking a big step upwards in both his climbing and time trialing abilities.

 

"When you are disappointed you also need to look what positive things can you take from the race, and I think that Bauke can take a lot away from this Tour," added Andersen. "He is only 29 years old, he started into cycling at a late age, and he has room for more progress.  He saw that when he had his best days, that he can be with the best."

 

Louis Meintjes makes history for African cycling

For Lampre-Merida, Davide Cimolai obtained 11th place. The rider battled once again fiercily against very fast opponents who could rely on lead-out train, and he was close to the top ten which he had obtained in the sprint on stage 14.

 

In Paris, Meintjes made history forAfrican cycling, being the first rider from that continent to complete the Tour de France in the top 10. The South African climber, born in 1992, was 8th, at 6’58”.

 

“I’m excited for having achieved this important result, I’m proud to be among the best 10 riders of this race. Last year I could not complete the Grande Boucle because I fell ill. This was an extra motivation for trying to reach Paris and for exploiting my skill at the best and I feel I did well.  I could’t have done this without a great team, I thank LAMPRE-MERIDA for the support during the Tour.

 

Tsgabu Grmay was the first Ethiopian rider ever to participate in the Tour de France and he succeeded in completing the race (in his career, he has completed all the three Grand Tours at his first participation); Pibernik and Polanc were at their debut too and they also completed the Tour; Arashiro is the only Japanese cyclist to have completed 6 edition of the Grande Boucle.

 

The outcome of LAMPRE-MERIDA is enriched by the two awards as “most combative rider” which were won by Arashiro and Rui Costa. The Portuguese athlete was 2nd in the 9th stage. All the 9 riders directed by Mauduit and Scirea completed the race.

 

Dan Martin: It was a Tour of firsts for me

On Sunday evening, under a blue and beautiful sky, Dan Martin rode into Paris tucked in the peloton and safely completed the last stage, taking his maiden top 10 finish in Le Tour. There was a brief moment of panic inside the last 25 kilometers of stage 21, when Martin punctured, but a fast wheel change meant that he was back in the bunch in no time. By coming 9th, not only that he nabbed his best ever result in four Tour de France participations, but he also brought Ireland its top placing in the general classification since 1992, when his uncle Stephen Roche concluded also in 9th place.

 

After finishing on the podium of Volta a Catalunya and of the Critérium du Dauphiné in his first six months with Etixx – Quick-Step, showing a remarkable consistency in all the races he's done, Dan Martin lined up for the Grande Boucle with the ambition of doing a good general classification, and the top 10 he got in Paris, where he concluded the race less than three minutes off the podium, came as extra confirmation of the fact he's stepped up his game since the beginning of the season.

 

"This was a Tour of firsts: first time I've targeted the general classification, first Grand Tour with Etixx – Quick-Step. It was a learning experience for both parties, but if there's a thing it showed me, is that I have room to improve and go for an even better result.

 

”We got 16 top 10 placings, and this just shows the incredible depth of the team. We were the only team who rode for the sprints and for the overall, we animated the race in numerous occasions and I think we have to be happy with what we did", said Martin minutes after arriving on the Champs-Élysées.

 

On a positive side, all of the team's Tour de France debutants – Julian Alaphilippe, Iljo Keisse and Petr Vakoč – finished the race, and brought their contribution to the squad's success, Etixx – Quick-Step being one of the eight teams who scored a stage victory and placed a rider in the top 10. Flat, hills or mountains, you name it, the team was always a protagonist and managed to leave a lasting impression on the 103rd edition of the Grande Boucle, from Kittel’s win in Limoges and Martin’s 9th place to Alaphilippe’s five-day spell in the white jersey and the combativity prize he shared with Tony Martinon stage 16.

 

Tony Martin abandons in Paris due to knee pain

Etixx – Quick-Step came close to finishing the Tour de France with all nine riders, but in the final 40 kilometers of Sunday's stage, Tony Martin climbed off his bike and called it a day, due to a nagging injury which made it really difficult for him:

 

"It's tough and disappointing to abandon in the last day, but my left knee was really hurting and it was imposible for me to complete the stage. I began to suffer since Saturday, when I came last on the stage, just inside the time cut. We will see tomorrow what is the nature of this injury."

 

Marcel Kittel: We had three punctures during the Tour – two of them came today

Besides Martin’s abandon, Etixx – Quick-Step suffered another mishap, as a broken pedal and then a flat forced Marcel Kittel to change his bike on the Paris circuit. Unfortunately, he lost a minute and although he rejoined the pack after a frantic chase, the huge effort he made took its toll in the last kilometer, when he couldn't get involved in the sprint:

 

"It's not so many times in your life that you have the chance to fight for victory on the Champs-Élysées and I was feeling good after getting out of the mountains. It's a real pity and at the same time very frustrating, but there's nothing we can do about it. In this Tour de France, we had three punctures, two of which came today. That spells bad luck. Then, in the final, I was empty and couldn't go for it in the sprint. That's sport, it can happen to anyone, anytime."

Bora-Argon 18 proud of Tour de France performance

Sam Bennett had to take on today’s final without his main lead-out rider Shane Archbold, who had to leave the Tour with a broken pelvis after stage 17. But nevertheless the team tried to support him as good as possible. With his 9th place, Bennett’s Tour finds a positive end after his hard crash on stage 1. He will be written in the history books as the Tour’s last rider on GC – the red lantern.  

 

In Paris it’s also time for a wrap up of BORA – ARGON 18’s last 3 weeks in France.

 

The team started the Tour with offensive riding in the first week. On the first 7 stages, at least one rider of the team was in the break of the day no less than 6 times. Paul Voss took the polka dot jersey on the first stage, the first ever leader’s jersey in the Tour de France for BORA – ARGON 18.

 

“We promised to the organiser, ASO, that we will thank them for the invitation with an offensive style of riding. I think we proved that 100%. I am satisfied how the guys have internalised this attitude and how they tried absolutely everything every day. We could thank our sponsors with a lot of TV time. And to wear a leader’s jersey at the Tour is for sure something special for a second division team, even it is just one day,” said Ralph Denk, team manager

 

But the opening of the Tour had also a dark side for BORA – ARGON 18. The sprinter of the team, Sam Bennett, crashed hard in the bunch sprint of stage one. He showed real Irish mentality and fought his way to Paris, but in the sprints he could not compete in the first week.

 

“We wanted to fight for a stage win in the sprints with Sam, but after his hard crash this was not possible. I think everyone could see that he would have been in great shape, because otherwise he would not have been able to survive the next stages and recover during this Tour. That’s why the crash was really a pity,” said Enrico Poitschke, sports director

 

Emanuel Buchmann was the team leader for the GC in his second Tour de France. For the young German this was the first time to fight in a Grand Tour every day for every second. With his 21st rank in the final general classification and a podium in the young rider classification, the team can be satisfied.

 

“For sure I would love to be in the top 20, but 21st is also ok for me. I tried in the last week several times to jump into a group, but I just managed to be there once and then this was the only day were the peloton pushed hard the whole day and never allowed the group to build a proper lead. So maybe I also did not have the best of luck. It was also a totally different Tour than last year for me. This time I had to be focussed from the beginning and also had to fight for positions in the flat stages. This is mentally really exhausting. Last year it did not matter if I lost half an hour one day, this year this was different,” said Emanuel Buchmann.

 

“Well, it’s a pity that we could not achieve a top 20 result, but Emu is still a very young rider and this year as a leader it was a new experience for him. I think we could see that he is able to go for the GC the next years, maybe he misses those 20 or 30 watts’ power at the moment to be up there with the best, but he proved to be able to go 21 stages without a really bad day. He did not disappoint us not even one day during this Tour, he was always close to the best and showed a consistent performance. That’s what we take from this Tour,” said Enrico Poitschke.

 

Fortuneo-Vital Concept have big hopes for McLay and Sepulveda

Fortuneo-Vital Concept manager Emanuel Hubert takes stock of the Tour.

 

"At this Tour, Dan [McLay] proved that we can count on him to be among the world's best sprinters. I am also satisfied with the team's behavior around him. They were all present. He managed to unite something around him, his teammates have everything for him.

 

"For the overall, we missed out. We had two potential leaders in this Tour, Eduardo [Sepulveda] and Chris [Anker Sørensen]. Chris never had good feelings and the preparation of Eduardo was far from optimal. Having returned to the competition in early June, it was surely presumptuous to hope for a Top 15, but we must set goals! I still believe in Eduardo, I think he is a talent. This effort over three weeks will give him the volume he lacks for the next races. The season is not over for him, it begins! Eduardo will make a very good month of August and beautiful Olympic Games.

 

"We have four Top 10 results, a Top 5 and a Top 3. This is our best Tour de France in terms of results. We bring new riders to Paris, it is a satisfaction, it is not possible for all teams. We tried to be present. The riders did their best, the team did the maximum. "

 

Vinokourov: Fabio Aru proved that he can win the Tour

After almost three weeks in the top 10, Astana captain Fabio Aru suffered of a bad day on Saturday in the last mountain stage to Morzine and he ended in 13th position.

 

Team Manager Alexandr Vinokourov said:

 

“I think that Astana Pro Team did a good Tour de France with Fabio Aru as captain and Vincenzo Nibali helping him. Aart from the last mountain stage, where Fabio simply suffered a bad day, he demonstrated to the world that he can fight for the final Tour victory in the future. I’m sure we will be back soon with him forthis purpose. I would like to thank all our other riders, Lutsenko, Tiralongo, Kangert, Fuglsang, Rosa, Sanchez and Grivko for their great work during the three-week race. A special thanks also goes to all the sport directors and to the entire staff.”

 

IAM end dream Tour with bad luck

IAM Cycling earned 11 top-10s in the 2016 Tour de France, highlighted by one stage win and two second places (all courtesy of Jarlinson Pantano), as well as a third place from Sondre Holst Enger in Bern.

 

Rik Verbrugghe, the sports manager for the Swiss World Tour team said:

 

“Michel Thétaz, the founder of IAM Cycling, can be proud of this team. Even though it had already been announced that the team’s adventure would end, the mindset of the group still made possible this sort of performance.”

 

Michel Thétaz, founder of IAM Cycling added:

 

“Of course, there is a feeling of nostalgia when thinking that this Tour de France exceeded all expectations. We managed to win a stage, and secure prestigious podium places, which allowed us to achieve our goal. But I am also pleased that we managed to give young riders a leg up, and have given other riders the chance to shine on their future teams.”

 

 

Today Sondre Holst Enger punctured with less than six kilometers to go to the finish while the whole team was working to launch him for the final sprint.

 

A victim of a crash with just three kilometers to go to the finish, Reto Hollenstein suffered superficial wounds on his right side, including the shoulder, elbow, side, knee and ankle.

 

Rik Verbrugghe said:

 

“The team gave another example of perfect unison when working together today. On the Champs-Elysées, everyone performed to their limit in a remarkable and efficient manner.  But in the end we had some bad luck. Oliver Naesen, an important member of our sprint train, punctured with five kilometers to go, and then Sondre Holst Enger, the rider we were working for, punctured just 500 meters further on. That meant our chance to win the stage was blown, since it was way too late to begin to work to launch Leigh Howard. Aside from that, we lost Reto Hollenstein in a late crash.”

 

Jarlinson Pantano: My performance left no one guessing regarding my abilities   

Jarlinson Pantano said:

 

“First, let me say that I am disappointed to see the end of the IAM Cycling adventure. This team was really fantastic, and I found a second family during my long absences from home. Of course, I am very happy with my place in the top-20. I prepared very hard for this event, and my performance did not leave anyone guessing regarding my abilities. My stage win and the two second places were well above my general expectations. And I have to thank sincerely and from my heart all my teammates and the entire team for helping me achieve these feats.”

 

John Degenkolb: We took the wrong decision

John Degenkolb took 16th place. Warren Barguil is the highest ranked rider for Team Giant-Alpecin in the final GC in 23rd place.

 

John Degenkolb said after the stage: “In the finale we lost Roy [Curvers] due to a technical problem which was unlucky. With 2km to the finish, Ramon [Sinkeldam] and I were in a good position and feeling positive. However, we then took the wrong decision and we lost our good position to be able to compete in the sprint.”

 

Coach Aike Visbeek added: “The plan was to set up John for the sprint today. Unfortunately we had a little bit of bad luck during the last laps where we had some mechanical issues, therefore we were lacking some riders to prepare the lead-out.

 

“The final three riders in the lead-out went too early and then in the chaos with 1km to go the guys lost each other. They got back together with 500 meters remaining, but they weren’t in the best of positions so we couldn’t play a real role in the sprint finish.”

 

Warren Barguil: I am disappointed

Warren Barguil said: “On a positive note, I am happy to finish my second Tour de France. However, the initial objective to finish in the Top 15 that was set by the team hasn’t been achieved and I am disappointed.

 

“Going forward from this Tour for next year, I need to formulate my objectives and how best to achieve them. Concerning the whole Tour de France, we worked really well together throughout the three weeks of racing, and managed to have two victories thanks to Tom. Now next on the agenda is Clásica de San Sebastián where I hope to achieve a good result, then followed by the Olympics in Rio.”

 

Giant-Alpecin pleased with Tour de France results

“Overall, I am very satisfied with the performance of the whole team at the Tour de France," Giant-Alpecin coach Marc Reef said. "In this year’s Tour the initial focus was to continue the development of Warren Barguil as a general classification and aim for a Top 15. Unfortunately we did not achieve this target. However, on the positive side, he has finished his second Tour, which is a good achievement and has continued to discover what it takes to be a top GC rider.

 

“It has still been a great experience for him and we will take the time to reflect with him and the whole team on the aspects we can improve in order for him to be a consistent GC rider for the upcoming years.

 

“This year’s Tour has also shown that we have been competitive in different types of stages. It is really pleasing to see how the team has continued to develop and the achievements that were made in the time trials, in the flat stages and in the mountain stages. We took two stages victories with Tom Dumoulin, which is fantastic, one in a mountain stage and one in the time trial and he was very close to achieving a third in the uphill time trial. However, we suffered a setback with Tom Dumoulin’s crash on stage 19 which was very unfortunate.

 

“We also wanted to focus on the sprints with John but in the first opportunities it didn’t work out. Indeed it was difficult for John to come into the race but day-by-day he continued to improve and gain race fitness. In the last sprint opportunities, he was up there competing with the best. It showed that his level is progressing, which is a really good sign.”

 

Disappointed Dylan Groenewegen: I have proved that I can compete at this level

Team LottoNL-Jumbo finished the Tour de France today in Paris with all nine men, including five debutants Dylan Groenewegen, Timo Roosen, Bert-Jan Lindeman, George Bennett and Robert Wagner. Sky’s Chris Froome won the 2016 race over Frenchman Romain Bardet (AG2R). André Greipel won the final stage. Timo Roosen crashed in that stage while Dylan Groenewegen and Maarten Wynants punctured in the decisive part of it.

 

“It was our goal to win a stage, but we weren’t able to do that,” Sports Director Merijn Zeeman said. “Beyond that, Dylan Groenewegen did well to finish this Tour. It is beyond all expectations and very strong of him. It’s important for the development of his career. He gained a lot of experience and endurance. 

 

“In the bunch sprints, we showed that we’re not there yet, but we have great potential. The men in the sprint train performed well, but they weren’t immediately able to win a stage in the Tour. Robert Gesink could not start after his crash, so we weren’t able to fill that gap for the stage win. 

 

“Wilco Kelderman had a difficult Tour de France. His first week was good, but after his first crash, he struggled. With his fight in the final weekend, he showed that he’s mentally strong. We backed that up by riding into Paris with five debutants. For a first-time Tour cyclist, that’s special.”

 

Dylan Groenewegen agreed. He said:

 

“It’s awesome to finish the Tour de France. I don’t think many people expected me to make it. I feel great about this Tour. I don’t like the mountains, but I managed to ride them a little easier every day. I’m satisfied about some of my sprints, as well. I proved to be able to compete at this level. I still have to learn a lot on the other hand.”

 

"I hit something and so I got a flat tire. And you have ridden for three weeks," Groenewegen said about today’s stage. Roosen got a flat tire and then me and then it was over. I've tried to survive all the mountains as economically as possible, because I wanted to sprint in Paris . My dream was to win here. That did not work because of bad luck. That's very frrustraing, also for the team. I had bad luck the first day and the last one too.”

 

"It's nice that I've done this. This makes me stronger and I will use this the next few years. With fourth place, I proved that I can handle it. I'll be back next year to win stages.”

 

“It went better and better with the lead-out for the sprint,” Sep Vanmarcke added. “We delivered some good result. No superb results, but we don’t have to be too disappointed about that. Personally, I was happy with the stage to the Mont Ventoux. That I managed to finish in the top 10 was beautiful. I enjoyed this Tour. It was the most pleasant one I ever rode.”

 

Timo Roosen enjoyed the stage to the Mont Ventoux, as well.

 

He said:

 

“That was an awesome experience. It gives me a special feeling to finish my first Tour. It has been three tough weeks, but it was beautiful. I really loved playing such a big role in the lead-out for the sprint. I felt that I was strong. It just should have come out just a little bit better for us, though.”

 

“We learned so much,” Maarten Wynants explained. “Now we know the level we have to reach. There is a lot of chaos in the Tour and we learned a lot from that. To ride the Tour is different from other races and it’s beautiful to experience that part of our process. I’m glad that I finished this Tour and I’m happy that I’ve been able to do my thing for Dylan’s sprint.”

 

Paul Martens enjoyed working together in the sprint train, as well. He said:

 

“Personally, I didn’t have much to aim for myself in this Tour. The stages were too hard or too flat, and never suited me. Everything went quite well with Dylan. We work well as a team. We can build on that.”

 

“Blood, sweat and tears,” Robert Wagner described his first Tour. “A dream came true for me. I finished my first Tour and at the age of 33, I feel like a real cyclist for the first time in my life. I finished the Vuelta three times and they were very hard, as well. Those grand tours aren’t too different physically, but the Tour de France is special.”

 

Bert-Jan Lindeman debuted in the Tour, as well.

 

“To ride a grand tour is the most beautiful thing for me,” he explained. “I noticed the difference of level between the Tour and other races. It’s a lot harder to be part of the breakaway. All the riders are at a top level and motivated. I fought for the stage win one day and I would love to come back here to go for it another time.”

 

“It was a rollercoaster,” George Bennett said. “I’ve had some good moments, bad moments, frustration and successes. This is a learning process. I started with the task to help Wilco, but after his crash in the first week, we changed tactics. I’ve been riding aggressively and gave it all. You learn the most if you approach it like that. I’m very happy with finishing my first Tour.”

 

Wilco Kelderman had to deal with some disappointments, but recovered to show off in the final days of the race.

 

“I stayed motivated until the end,” he said. “I just wasn’t able to make it into the breakaway too often. I gave it all and fought as much as possible.”

 

Frustrated Bryan Coquard: I have proved that I am one of the best in the world

Bryan Coquard punctured in the finale. He told L’Equipe:

 

“Of course we are very disappointed. I punctured the front wheel 3 kilometers from the finish, at the time of the crash.  Well, that's cycling. Inevitably it is a disappointment because we had all done well. I am frustrated because it's been 5-6 days that I have thought about at this stage. The whole team, not just me. I wanted to reward them. It sucks. I had not punctured once the Tour, I did today ... It's like that. 

 

” I have matured mentally. I could throw my bike and my wheel but it would not have done anything good. Now we have to think about next year. It's frustrating personally and for the team. I was really in my element, I was really good today. It is too bad. But hey, it's just a bike race, there are more serious things, especially now. We will return next year to win at the Tour. This year, we failed by 28 millimeters (in Limoges), I hope we will manage to win one later.
 

“I learned that I'm at their level. In false flat finish, I think I'm the best in the world. I learned that I can trust my team, a strong team. Jean-René (Bernaudeau) promised me a team, he does what he says. The arrival of Adrian (Petit) did me good. We had everything to do well. We really wanted this win. But as one of our team managers just told me, in two years I will not only be close.

 

“I took a beer at the finish. I think the team has been strong around me. 28mm – what is it? I think we did a good Tour. Sylvain [Chavanel] was 5th on the Ventoux, I'm not far from victory. This is not a totally successful Tour but it's not a bad Tour.”