the_hoyleThanks for the kind words Yay some on my favorite movies I checked and in 1955 Bobet won his third consecutive Tour, so definitely BTTF. Henry will probably go back in time later in this story and accidentaly run over Bobet and he'll have to take his place and win the 55 Tour
duxili - Next year are the WC in France, don't forget that! And like you say, records might be beaten though don't get me wrong, nothing is set in stone, yet. Every Tour has to be raced and won. Henry might be superiour in the mountains when his form is right, the time trials can be quite tricky, and he still needs a strong team to support him!
Dippofix - Yeah, bummer, right? A lot of the cycling legends have passed already.
anderpcm - If he manages to survive the TT
FonsDeSpons - Thanks a lot, Fons. I'm glad you like it. Hope to keep you entertained!
Atlantius - Winning a stage in the Maillot Jaune is just awesome. Yes, the Belgians are desperate for a Tour victory so they nearly beat Froome
welker3257 - Henry wanted to be the best climber. I think overall in this Tour he was
Shonak - Thanks for the words, mate! I'm glad you liked it. It was sort of like Euskaltel's Alpe d'Huez stage in your story, I think.
The Hobbit - Indeed. If he loses now, a lot of those bananas will turn rotten. But I think, hope, that 3 minutes will be enough!
Thanks once again, everyone!
Final stage will be a little later today, have some things to do.
Expect it at around 7 tonight.
In about four to five hours, I'll be the last rider left in Tour de France. As Maillot Jaune I start the Time Trial as the very last one, just two minutes behind Froome.
Advantage? Nobody can overtake me since nobody will be behind me.
Disadvantage? It's a Time Trial. Flat as can be. Froome is one of the best out there.
Coach Van Impe told me to relax right now. Warm up starts in two hours, and for the next two hours I should take it easy.
So what better way to relax than to come here and write you the next part of the story I started before the Tour?
The Wedding Crashers - Part IV
I was standing at the altar, feeling more uncomfortable in my suit than I ever do in my cycling gear. Warren sensed I was very nervous and offered me a little drink, but I passed. I wanted to be clear minded to do this. It's probably the biggest thing I'd ever do. Well, unless I would win the Tour in two months. I chuckled at the idea.
After the Bridal Mars started playing, she came in and walked down the aisle. She was just... fan-ta-stic. Drop dead gorgeous.
The ceremony was a short one, as neither of us felt like a real Catholic anyway, we mostly did it to please my mother and father. So I was glad to leave the church and go to the reception.
I'll be honest here, because I know Becca doesn't read my blog. Your wedding day is quite nice, but not the funnest and most relaxing day. You have little time to enjoy it. At the reception I had to talk to everyone, answer the same questions all the time, talk to people I didn't really like.
But then it changed. I was just talking to Becca's half-brother, who lived in South America, when I saw someone coming through the door. Someone I thought was dead, someone we all thought was dead...
"Erik?" I whispered to myself.
I broke myself free from Becca's half-brother and looked for the most beautiful woman in the room.
"Becca?"
But it was too late, she had seen him.
"Dad?"
Transfer Rumours
I've some small news to add, too. Team Celesio has made it clear to pursue John Degenkolb, instead of Greipel or Zabel. The reason for this is because he is the most independend sprinter, who doesn't necessarily need an entire lead-out in order for him to succeed.
I'll see you tonight, hopefully on the top step on the Champs!
Henry
Probably the biggest moment of my professional life. Probably? I mean certainly!
30 kilometers to hold off Froome. 3 minutes.
It won't be easy.
The Race
Phinney was the first to set a strong time. It was up to other TT beasts to try and break that. The victory on the Champs-Élysées is rarely possible for a time trialist.
Tony Martin knows this. He squashed all previous times.
I was waiting, scared. Then it was up to the top 10. Then, Valverde.
But he was no longer a threat for this. It was between two guys left. A TT duel, finishing on the Champs. It's Fignon vs. LeMond all over again. The whole of France was looking, holding its breath.
I took a deep breath. "Try to relax, Henry."
Oh, sure, it's only the Tour de France you can win! I was nervous, but coming here to Paris, wearing this Maillot Jaune, knowing that the entire world was watching me. I felt strong.
Van Impe was in the car behind me. I never heard him like this before, trying to motivate me.
"Go, go faster! Come on, Henry, get in your rhythm. You're doing well. Keep going, come on!"
Seeing the Eiffel Tower gave me a boost. I needed it. Froome was cruising on 6th gear.
First time check!
Froome: +1" behind Martin Vergnaud: +50" behind Martin
Van Impe was going crazy at this point. I think everyone in Paris heard him.
"COME ON, HENRY, HENRY, HENRY!!! COME ON, GO, GO, GO!"
I wish I could've enjoyed this more, but every second counted! My final meters in my first Tour de France! Would I write history, or fail so close to the end? Would I bask France back into the days of glory, or would I cause a second trauma after Fignon, scarring France forever?
Final Time
Froome: Winner of the Time Trial: 39'25" Vergnaud: 31st, losing time: 2'27"
Full Result
Spoiler
1
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
39'25
2
Tony Martin
Katusha Team
+ 2
3
Bob Jungels
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 24
4
Travis Bickle
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 57
5
Taylor Phinney
BMC Racing Team
+ 1'29
6
Jonathan Castroviejo
Movistar Team
+ 1'30
7
Michał Kwiatkowski
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
8
Tejay Van Garderen
BMC Racing Team
+ 1'32
9
Leocadio Manresa
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 1'40
10
Dadley Mitchell
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 1'44
11
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky Procycling
+ 1'46
12
Simon Spilak
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'47
13
Richie Porte
Katusha Team
+ 1'50
14
Niki Terpstra
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 1'52
15
Bradley Wiggins
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 1'53
16
Manuele Boaro
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 1'54
17
Rohan Dennis
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 1'55
18
Lars Boom
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'56
19
Janez Brajkovič
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
20
Stef Clement
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1'57
21
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
+ 2'01
22
Anthony Roux
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 2'08
23
Geraint Thomas
Katusha Team
+ 2'10
24
Wout Poels
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 2'11
25
Ian Stannard
Sky Procycling
+ 2'16
26
Yohan Offredo
Team Celesio - Macquarie
s.t.
27
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
+ 2'17
28
Robert Gesink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'20
29
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
+ 2'21
30
Leopold König
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 2'25
31
Henry Vergnaud
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 2'27
32
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
+ 2'28
33
Thomas Dekker
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
34
Adam Hansen
Lotto Belisol
+ 2'30
35
Dario Cataldo
Sky Procycling
s.t.
36
Tony Gallopin
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 2'32
37
Jérémy Roy
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 2'34
38
Damien Gaudin
Team Europcar
+ 2'35
39
Christophe Kern
Team Europcar
+ 2'36
40
Tom Boonen
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 2'37
41
Sergio Henao
Sky Procycling
s.t.
42
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
+ 2'39
43
Lasse Bøchman
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
44
Michael Mørkøv
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 2'40
45
Sebastian Langeveld
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 2'41
46
Ramunas Navardauskas
Garmin - Sharp
+ 2'43
47
Silvio Herklotz
Team Celesio - Macquarie
s.t.
48
Ivan Basso
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 2'44
49
Rory Sutherland
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 2'46
50
Jan Bakelants
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
51
Ryder Hesjedal
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
52
Jurgen Van den Broeck
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
53
Kristjan Koren
Sojasun
+ 2'47
54
Domenico Pozzovivo
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
55
Christophe Riblon
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 2'50
56
Alexander Kristoff
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 2'54
57
Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 2'55
58
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
59
Marcel Kittel
Katusha Team
s.t.
60
Philippe Gilbert
Lotto Belisol
+ 2'56
61
Carlos Betancur
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
62
Julien Duvivier
FDJ.fr
+ 2'58
63
Nikias Arndt
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 2'59
64
Daryl Impey
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
65
Jakob Fuglsang
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
66
Arnold Jeannesson
FDJ.fr
+ 3'00
67
Michael Albasini
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 3'01
68
Joaquím Rodríguez
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
69
Cyril Lemoine
Sojasun
+ 3'02
70
Moreno Hofland
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 3'03
71
Nairo Quintana
Movistar Team
+ 3'04
72
Arthur Vichot
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 3'05
73
Michal Golas
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
74
Egor Silin
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
75
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
76
Matthieu Ladagnous
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 3'06
77
Laurens Ten Dam
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
78
Andy Schleck
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
79
Alexandre Geniez
FDJ.fr
+ 3'07
80
Sirko Bödeker
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 3'08
81
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 3'12
82
Christophe Laborie
Sojasun
+ 3'13
83
Levi Leipheimer
Sojasun
s.t.
84
Rémi Pauriol
Team Europcar
s.t.
85
Bryan Coquard
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 3'14
86
Filippo Pozzato
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
87
Nick Nuyens
Garmin - Sharp
+ 3'15
88
André Greipel
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
89
Lachlan Morton
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
90
Jürgen Roelandts
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
91
Alessandro Ballan
BMC Racing Team
+ 3'16
92
Tyler Farrar
Garmin - Sharp
+ 3'17
93
Daniele Bennati
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
94
Chris Anker Sørensen
Astana Pro Team
+ 3'18
95
Matteo Trentin
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 3'19
96
Mike Teunissen
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 3'20
97
Lou Smeets
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
98
Anders Lund
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 3'22
99
Jonathan Hivert
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
100
Eduard Vorganov
Katusha Team
+ 3'23
101
Bernhard Eisel
Sky Procycling
+ 3'24
102
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
+ 3'25
103
Michael Matthews
Sojasun
+ 3'26
104
Stijn Vandenbergh
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
105
Tomas Vaitkus
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
106
Eros Capecchi
Movistar Team
+ 3'27
107
Baden Cooke
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 3'28
108
Benoît Vaugrenard
FDJ.fr
s.t.
109
John Degenkolb
Sky Procycling
+ 3'32
110
Rudy Molard
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
111
Louis Meintjes
Team Celesio - Macquarie
s.t.
112
Sébastien Turgot
Team Europcar
+ 3'33
113
Marco Marcato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 3'34
114
Tom Veelers
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
115
Danny Van Poppel
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 3'36
116
Nacer Bouhanni
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
117
Matthew Goss
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 3'37
118
Thomas Damuseau
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
119
Gianni Meersman
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 3'38
120
Sep Vanmarcke
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
121
Brice Feillu
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 3'39
122
Maxim Iglinskiy
Astana Pro Team
+ 3'41
123
Rob Ruijgh
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 3'44
124
Mark Cavendish
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
125
Grega Bole
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
126
Fabio Felline
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
127
Gorka Verdugo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 3'48
128
Carlos Barbero
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 3'49
129
Simon Gerrans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 3'50
130
Gaël Malacarne
FDJ.fr
+ 3'51
131
Mikel Nieve
Movistar Team
s.t.
132
Yauheni Hutarovich
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 3'52
133
Jesús Hernández
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
134
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
135
Caleb Ewan
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 3'54
136
Daniel Moreno
Katusha Team
s.t.
137
Vincent Jérôme
FDJ.fr
s.t.
138
Jens Keukeleire
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 3'55
139
Guillaume Levarlet
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
140
Dominik Nerz
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 3'56
141
Tosh Van der Sande
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
142
Alexandr Kolobnev
Katusha Team
+ 3'59
143
Garikoitz Bravo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
144
Robert Vrecer
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 4'00
145
Juan José Lobato
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 4'01
146
Andrea Guardini
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
147
Ricardo García
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 4'02
148
Geoffrey Soupe
FDJ.fr
s.t.
149
Evaldas Siskevicius
Sojasun
+ 4'03
150
Nikolas Maes
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
151
Rubén Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
152
Kenny Van Hummel
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 4'04
153
Yannick Martinez
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
s.t.
154
Mathieu Perget
Team Europcar
s.t.
155
Mitchell Docker
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 4'06
156
Kris Boeckmans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
157
Fred Rodriguez
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 4'09
158
Elia Viviani
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 4'11
159
Romain Feillu
Team Europcar
+ 4'13
160
Julien El Fares
Team Europcar
s.t.
161
Mickaël Delage
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
162
Tarik Chaoufi
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 4'14
163
Matthias Krizek
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
164
Andrew Fenn
Sky Procycling
+ 4'15
165
José Joaquín Rojas
Movistar Team
+ 4'21
166
Alexander Porsev
Katusha Team
+ 4'22
167
Marco Haller
Katusha Team
s.t.
168
Jake Keough
Garmin - Sharp
+ 4'27
169
Steve Chainel
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
170
Giacomo Nizzolo
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 4'28
171
Byron Guama
Sojasun
+ 4'30
172
Grégory Rast
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 4'32
173
Maxime Méderel
Team Europcar
+ 4'40
174
Jonas Aaen Jørgensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 4'47
175
Jean-Marc Marino
Team Europcar
+ 4'52
That means...
YYAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH
TOUR DE FRANCE 2015 WINNER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tour de France - General Classification
1
Henry Vergnaud
Team Celesio - Macquarie
89h07'03
2
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
+ 32
3
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
+ 4'31
4
Andy Schleck
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 11'25
5
Joaquím Rodríguez
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 17'31
6
Carlos Betancur
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 18'20
7
Tejay Van Garderen
BMC Racing Team
+ 20'14
8
Richie Porte
Katusha Team
+ 22'17
9
Rui Costa
Movistar Team
+ 23'41
10
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
+ 30'15
11
Michał Kwiatkowski
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 31'16
12
Sergio Henao
Sky Procycling
+ 38'33
13
Jurgen Van den Broeck
BMC Racing Team
+ 44'34
14
Simon Spilak
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 44'44
15
Lou Smeets
Lotto Belisol
+ 45'41
16
Robert Gesink
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 59'35
17
Wout Poels
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 59'54
18
Jakob Fuglsang
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1h01'54
19
Nairo Quintana
Movistar Team
+ 1h02'42
20
Arnold Jeannesson
FDJ.fr
+ 1h05'10
Spoiler
21
Mikel Nieve
Movistar Team
+ 1h05'28
22
Louis Meintjes
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 1h07'36
23
Daniel Moreno
Katusha Team
+ 1h11'35
24
Leopold König
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h13'16
25
Dominik Nerz
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 1h21'06
26
Silvio Herklotz
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 1h21'30
27
Ryder Hesjedal
Garmin - Sharp
+ 1h21'54
28
Thomas Damuseau
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 1h27'58
29
Beñat Intxausti
Movistar Team
+ 1h30'47
30
Lachlan Morton
Garmin - Sharp
+ 1h32'00
31
Geraint Thomas
Katusha Team
+ 1h40'01
32
Tony Martin
Katusha Team
+ 1h45'54
33
Alexandre Geniez
FDJ.fr
+ 1h46'50
34
Samuel Sánchez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1h47'11
35
Jérémy Roy
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 1h50'16
36
Jan Bakelants
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 1h51'11
37
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky Procycling
+ 1h52'28
38
Stef Clement
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 1h53'38
39
Bob Jungels
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 1h55'08
40
Janez Brajkovič
Astana Pro Team
+ 1h55'49
41
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1h58'42
42
Egor Silin
Astana Pro Team
+ 2h00'36
43
Dario Cataldo
Sky Procycling
+ 2h03'24
44
Bradley Wiggins
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 2h03'40
45
Leocadio Manresa
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 2h07'56
46
Eduard Vorganov
Katusha Team
+ 2h08'02
47
Domenico Pozzovivo
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 2h08'55
48
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
+ 2h09'45
49
Lasse Bøchman
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 2h11'18
50
Chris Anker Sørensen
Astana Pro Team
+ 2h11'33
51
Eros Capecchi
Movistar Team
+ 2h12'49
52
Brice Feillu
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 2h15'25
53
Rémi Pauriol
Team Europcar
+ 2h22'45
54
Laurens Ten Dam
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 2h24'32
55
Ivan Basso
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 2h27'14
56
Guillaume Levarlet
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 2h28'54
57
Jonathan Castroviejo
Movistar Team
+ 2h29'04
58
Adam Hansen
Lotto Belisol
+ 2h29'36
59
Robert Vrecer
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 2h33'27
60
Rudy Molard
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 2h33'48
61
Tony Gallopin
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 2h35'12
62
Christophe Kern
Team Europcar
+ 2h35'28
63
Michal Golas
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 2h40'04
64
Dadley Mitchell
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 2h48'49
65
Rory Sutherland
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 2h50'56
66
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
+ 2h51'03
67
Rob Ruijgh
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 2h52'01
68
Garikoitz Bravo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 2h52'05
69
Levi Leipheimer
Sojasun
+ 2h53'44
70
Kristjan Koren
Sojasun
+ 2h54'47
71
Jean-Marc Marino
Team Europcar
+ 2h55'58
72
Thomas Dekker
Garmin - Sharp
+ 2h57'50
73
Michael Mørkøv
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 2h59'40
74
Jonathan Hivert
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 3h01'26
75
Maxime Méderel
Team Europcar
+ 3h02'17
76
Byron Guama
Sojasun
+ 3h04'23
77
Michael Albasini
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 3h08'26
78
Lars Boom
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 3h10'29
79
Rohan Dennis
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 3h10'53
80
Ian Stannard
Sky Procycling
+ 3h11'57
81
Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 3h13'41
82
Jesús Hernández
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 3h14'59
83
Cyril Lemoine
Sojasun
+ 3h16'31
84
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
+ 3h17'07
85
Arthur Vichot
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 3h17'19
86
Anders Lund
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 3h18'56
87
Gianni Meersman
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 3h19'01
88
Mathieu Perget
Team Europcar
+ 3h21'16
89
Christophe Riblon
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 3h21'43
90
Sebastian Langeveld
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 3h25'25
91
Philippe Gilbert
Lotto Belisol
+ 3h27'25
92
Ramunas Navardauskas
Garmin - Sharp
+ 3h28'01
93
Julien El Fares
Team Europcar
+ 3h33'04
94
Tosh Van der Sande
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 3h36'56
95
Jens Keukeleire
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 3h40'55
96
Fabio Felline
BMC Racing Team
+ 3h41'41
97
Matthieu Ladagnous
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 3h41'51
98
Carlos Barbero
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 3h42'21
99
Marco Marcato
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 3h43'31
100
Alexander Kristoff
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 3h44'00
101
Moreno Hofland
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 3h44'25
102
Tom Boonen
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 3h46'18
103
Daryl Impey
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 3h46'48
104
Maxim Iglinskiy
Astana Pro Team
+ 3h47'22
105
Jürgen Roelandts
Lotto Belisol
+ 3h48'00
106
Geoffrey Soupe
FDJ.fr
+ 3h48'51
107
Alexandr Kolobnev
Katusha Team
+ 3h51'49
108
Simon Gerrans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 3h51'57
109
Grega Bole
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 3h52'42
110
Ricardo García
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 3h54'05
111
José Joaquín Rojas
Movistar Team
+ 3h59'24
112
Mark Cavendish
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 4h00'48
113
Gorka Verdugo
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 4h01'45
114
Travis Bickle
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 4h02'04
115
Benoît Vaugrenard
FDJ.fr
+ 4h03'21
116
Niki Terpstra
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 4h05'45
117
Kris Boeckmans
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 4h07'42
118
Filippo Pozzato
BMC Racing Team
+ 4h08'03
119
Rubén Pérez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 4h08'41
120
John Degenkolb
Sky Procycling
+ 4h09'45
121
Vincent Jérôme
FDJ.fr
+ 4h10'23
122
Yauheni Hutarovich
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 4h12'55
123
Andrew Fenn
Sky Procycling
+ 4h13'49
124
Bryan Coquard
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 4h14'10
125
Sébastien Turgot
Team Europcar
+ 4h14'27
126
Andrea Guardini
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 4h14'46
127
André Greipel
Lotto Belisol
+ 4h15'29
128
Baden Cooke
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 4h16'35
129
Steve Chainel
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 4h18'12
130
Stijn Vandenbergh
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 4h19'52
131
Nikolas Maes
Lotto Belisol
+ 4h20'20
132
Anthony Roux
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 4h20'44
133
Matthew Goss
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 4h21'04
134
Gaël Malacarne
FDJ.fr
+ 4h21'17
135
Matteo Trentin
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 4h21'55
136
Sep Vanmarcke
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
+ 4h23'56
137
Tomas Vaitkus
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 4h28'42
138
Marcel Kittel
Katusha Team
+ 4h29'54
139
Mickaël Delage
BMC Racing Team
+ 4h31'03
140
Grégory Rast
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 4h32'53
141
Alexander Porsev
Katusha Team
+ 4h32'59
142
Taylor Phinney
BMC Racing Team
+ 4h33'13
143
Matthias Krizek
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 4h33'27
144
Yohan Offredo
Team Celesio - Macquarie
+ 4h34'32
145
Marco Haller
Katusha Team
+ 4h34'51
146
Damien Gaudin
Team Europcar
+ 4h38'59
147
Manuele Boaro
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 4h39'03
148
Tom Veelers
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 4h41'38
149
Pim Ligthart
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
+ 4h44'11
150
Julien Duvivier
FDJ.fr
+ 4h47'03
151
Alessandro Ballan
BMC Racing Team
+ 4h47'27
152
Jonas Aaen Jørgensen
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 4h47'52
153
Elia Viviani
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 4h50'08
154
Caleb Ewan
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 4h50'17
155
Nick Nuyens
Garmin - Sharp
+ 4h51'35
156
Tarik Chaoufi
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 4h52'33
157
Yannick Martinez
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
+ 4h53'14
158
Juan José Lobato
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 4h53'47
159
Evaldas Siskevicius
Sojasun
+ 4h53'53
160
Nacer Bouhanni
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
+ 4h55'30
161
Michael Matthews
Sojasun
+ 4h56'00
162
Daniele Bennati
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 4h58'39
163
Nikias Arndt
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 5h01'13
164
Tyler Farrar
Garmin - Sharp
+ 5h01'30
165
Mitchell Docker
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 5h01'35
166
Giacomo Nizzolo
Cannondale Pro Cycling
+ 5h01'36
167
Danny Van Poppel
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 5h04'10
168
Kenny Van Hummel
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 5h05'03
169
Mike Teunissen
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 5h05'20
170
Jake Keough
Garmin - Sharp
+ 5h06'33
171
Sirko Bödeker
Team Argos - Shimano
+ 5h06'56
172
Fred Rodriguez
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 5h08'10
173
Bernhard Eisel
Sky Procycling
+ 5h13'29
174
Romain Feillu
Team Europcar
+ 5h18'53
175
Christophe Laborie
Sojasun
+ 5h43'00
Tour de France - Points Classification
1
André Greipel
Lotto Belisol
355
2
Mark Cavendish
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
341
3
Carlos Barbero
RadioShack - Leopard
318
4
Marcel Kittel
Katusha Team
263
5
Henry Vergnaud
Team Celesio - Macquarie
236
6
Bryan Coquard
AG2R La Mondiale
183
7
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
168
8
Alexander Kristoff
Team Celesio - Macquarie
168
9
Lars Boom
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
163
10
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
158
Tour de France - Mountain Classification
1
Henry Vergnaud
Team Celesio - Macquarie
253
2
Chris Froome
Sky Procycling
215
3
Alejandro Valverde
Movistar Team
191
4
Andy Schleck
RadioShack - Leopard
143
5
Joaquím Rodríguez
Cannondale Pro Cycling
120
6
Carlos Betancur
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
60
7
Tejay Van Garderen
BMC Racing Team
48
8
Vincenzo Nibali
Astana Pro Team
42
9
Dominik Nerz
Team Celesio - Macquarie
41
10
Jurgen Van den Broeck
BMC Racing Team
38
Tour de France - U25 Classification
Tour de France - Team Classification
The Night of Avenue des Champs-Élysées
As soon as I saw my ending time and saw I couldn't have lost 3 minutes on Froome, things happened so fast.
I jumped off my bike and threw it to the floor. Behind me, the team car stopped. I turned around and ran towards the car. The door opened. Van Impe had tears in his eyes as he looked at me. We hugged and laughed out loud.
I picked up my bike again and lifted it high in the air. The sound of the audience was enormous. There were French flags everywhere, everyone was clapping, whistling, cheering, shouting, screaming, chanting my name, even. After 30 years, after those 8 seconds that separated Fignon from LeMond, France was alive again.
Then I got dragged towards all kinds of places, to shake hands with all these people, some I recognized, some I didn't.
After doping controle, I was expected for the podium ceremony. But all I wanted was to see Becca. I know she was here somewhere. I entered a big yellow tent and there she was. The look on her face said it all. She didn't say a word and she didn't have to. I knew she was so proud of me. We just kissed.
Then it was time for my final appearance at this Tour. I saw the big yellow podium. Before going up there to accept my Tour de France title, I was called on to accept the Mountain Jersey and the Young Jersey. On both events, the audience clapped so hard I thought I was in a storm.
But that was nothing compared to the final podium.
"Winner of the 2015 Tour de France, debutant, aged 24, here's our very own... HENRY VERGNAUD!"
I got up those steps one last time under the biggest round of applause imaginable. It looked like the whole of France was there. Bernard Hinault came up to me, holding my trophy. 30 years after his final victory for France, here I am, accepting this from his hands.
Then it was time for the speech.
Uh-oh. I hadn't even thought about this. I needed to improvise.
Thanks, everyone, for believing in me. I feel so proud to stand here in front of you. This is all beyond my wildest dreams. It fills my heart to see how much everyone has supported me along the way. This victory is for all of you.
But there are two people I need to thank specifically. Firstly, my loving wife, Becca. For keeping by my side. For cooking the most delicious steak whenever I get back from a tough training. For understanding when I can't be at home as much as I'd like to. For all the love and support.
Finally, I have one more person to thank. This victory is just as much his as it is mine. Winner of the 1976 Tour de France, my personal coach, manager, mentor and friend, Lucien Van Impe. This could not have been possible without him. He never lost faith in me, he always gave me a spot on his team. From one climber to another, Lucien, thanks!
My speech had gone on long enough. But at least it was better than Froome's "This will stand the test of time" speech from 2013, right?
Now I'm so tired. This Tour has drained me of all my energy, all my willpower. It hasn't even sunk completely.
But when it does,
I'll be sure to enjoy it.
How could I missed this
I just read the last stages of the tour and it was awesome
Good story you have here, Ian.
Ooh btw, congratulation for winning the tour
Congratulations Henry (and Ian)! You've made it. This one is big and it's a beautiful post to end this adventurous, risky Tour de France experience. Truly something to enjoy. Paris at sunset is the right stage for young Henry to write history.
Some unique, enjoyable writings during this Tour de France and especially in this last week. So lots of praise for that too.
Plus, I can't really remember a bigger moment in PCM Daily stories honestly for one rider (but then again, I'm not so long in the business). Edited by Shonak on 28-01-2014 15:45
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Jesleyh - Yeah, In the end that final mountain stage got Henry the time to do it. Would be hard to have a worse speech, though
Selwink - Thanks!!
Atlantius - That guy will have a photo that's worth something
Mresuperstar - It was a bit too close for me. That final mountain stage was all about showing the jersey, but in the end I took the time that I needed! Haven't really started to think about that yet. Maybe Henry can enter the hall of fame by winning a few more. He'll have to grow a bit more, though. Froome will be prepared next year!
VoetsT - I was already wondering why you didn't seem interested at all thanks for dropping in You came in at the perfect moment!
sutty68 - It reminded me of that, too. Luckily with a different outcome for the Frenchman. Beautiful vid, though
Ollfardh - Thanks! Yeah, PCM 13 is quite good, graphically, I think. Especially these stages at nightfall
Dippofix - French bananas!
sutty68 (2) - Indeed. Cancer is an enemy too hard to battle
Shonak - What can I say? I'm very happy you joined the site. Both for your Euskaltel story and for your amazing comments here! I had a lot of fun playing and writing this Tour de France and it's great to be appreciated for it Now I hope to continue the story equally strong. Though emotions won't run so high in other races, probably
FonsDeSpons - That reminds me, Henry still has no nickname. For a French Tour de France winner, I guess that's pretty strange.
duxili - Will do Thanks!
welker3257 - I think the Maillot Jaune gave him wings! But it was too close, nearly scared me to death
Thanks for the huge support! In order to enjoy this Tour victory, I won't be playing any more stages today. However, I'll be thinking about Henry's further season, though. Probably no Vuelta, though, but I'm not sure...
Yay some on my favorite movies 
I checked and in 1955 Bobet won his third consecutive Tour, so definitely BTTF. Henry will probably go back in time later in this story and accidentaly run over Bobet and he'll have to take his place and win the 55 Tour 
Tour de France - Stage 21 
