Tour De France Finale - 7/26/2009

Alberto "The Condor" Contador

2009 Tour De France Champion

THE GRANDE FINALE

The final stage ride into Paris is traditionally a day of celebration and not racing. Long standing unwritten rules forbid any attacks today except for the bragging rights to winning the final stage sprint.

This year, as in others, the teams rolled their way into Paris in a leisurely party-like atmosphere, laughing and talking amongst each other. Trading war stories and best wishes. All of the exhilaration, passion, rivalry, teamwork, highs and lows, pain, revenge and glory coming to a head as the riders bond over the one thing they have in common, surviving the Tour De France 2009.

Team Astana-shing wasting no time in popping the champagne having snagged the #1 and #3 spots with Alberto Contador and Lance Armstrong. How amazing to once again see Lance drinking champagne on the way into Paris!

Team SaxoBank or should we say, SexyBank, laughing and hamming it up with Fabian Cancellara flexing his muscles literally at the cameras for all to appreciate. The Schleck Brothers unable to stop smiling as young Andy finishes in 2nd place. What a Tour the Schleck Brothers had…

Team Columbia veteran George Hincapie, rumored to have finished the last few stages with a broken collarbone, completing a remarkable 14 consecutive tours today and heading the peloton around the Champs Elysees to lead his teamate Cavendish to the stage win. Wow. The next question for George is will he ride with Armstrong on Team RadioShack in 2010?

YELLOW (FASTEST TIME): ALBERTO “THE CONDOR” CONTADOR

GREEN (FASTEST SPRINTS): BIG THOR “GOD OF THUNDER” HUSHOVD

POLKA DOT (KING OF THE MOUNTAINS): FRANCO PELLICOTTI

WHITE (BEST YOUNG RIDER): ANDY SCHLECK

Honorable Mention: Mark “The Missile” Cavendish -Team Columbia - 6 Stage wins including today’s coveted Champs Elysees stage.

It was a great race this year. We look forward to next months Tour of Ireland and to next years Tour de France already...