Vincenzo Nibali, a 29-year-old Sicilian, has won the Tour de France and is the first Italian to win the tour in 16 years.
Nibali called himself “a flag-bearer of anti-doping" during the race and won after the pre-race favorites, Chris Froome and two-time winner Alberto Contador, exited with injuries in the early goings. Nibali’s accomplishments didn’t stop with winning the Tour de France, as he is only the sixth racer in history to win all the major Grand Tours in France, Italy and Spain.
Nibali said it was an honor to take part in the race and was overjoyed with how he and his team, Astana, preformed.
"Now that I find myself on the highest step on the Champs-Elysees podium, it's more beautiful than I ever imagined," Nibali, the Arc de Triomphe behind him, told the crowd. "I've never been this moved in all my life."
According to Fox Sports, Nibali’s performance is one for the ages and had some major accomplishments that haven’t been seen since Lance Armstrong won the 2004 Tour de France.
“Nibali won four stages -- a feat not equaled by a Tour winner since Lance Armstrong won five a decade ago. The Italian wore the yellow jersey for all but two stages since Stage 1. His 7 minute, 37 second margin over runner-up Jean-Christophe Peraud equals that of Armstrong over Swiss rider Alex Zulle in 1999 -- a result nullified for doping. Before that, the biggest margin was that of Germany's Jan Ullrich: He beat second-placed Richard Virenque by just over 9 minutes in 1997.”
Tejay van Garderen of the United States finished fifth and said this was the hardest tour he has ever been a part of . He finished 11:24 back of Nibali for first place.
Merci Paris, Merci @letour Thanks to all my fans for the support during this Tour! pic.twitter.com/JMRT1lA8Jm
— Vincenzo Nibali (@vincenzonibali) July 28, 2014
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