Sunday, July 27, 2014
Associated Press
PARIS
Vincenzo Nibali won the Tour de France today, becoming the first Italian in 16 years to triumph in cycling’s greatest race by chiseling a lead over his main rivals a few seconds at a time and dominating them in the mountains.
The 29-year-old Sicilian, who called himself “a flag-bearer of anti-doping” during the race, finished in a bunch behind Marcel Kittel, who won the 21st stage in a sprint finish.
Nibali’s victory comes after the pre-race favorites — 2013 champion Chris Froome and two-time winner Alberto Contador — crashed out with injuries in the first half of this year’s Tour.
Astana team leader Nibali is only the sixth rider to win all three Grand Tours — France, Italy and Spain. The last Italian to win the Tour de France was Marco Pantani in 1998.