Over for another year

As the riders rode leisurely into Paris yesterday it was time to start reflecting on this year’s Tour de France.

Mark Cavendish managed to do what no other rider has done in he last ten years and that is win on the Champs-Élysées two years in succession. He may not have collected the green points jersey but the Manxman has certainly made his presence known in Le Tour.

Alberto Contador took the yellow jersey just 39 seconds ahead of his rival Andy Schleck. That just happens to be the same as the time he took out of Schleck on Port Balès when the young rider lost his chain.

Contador, who admits that he was not on his best from this year, joins an elite group of only six riders since the second world war who have won the tour without winning a stage.

Lance Armstrong’s RadioShack team tried to start the race in black jerseys with the Livestrong logo but were made to change back to their regular jerseys. In a moment of defiance, they then wore their black jerseys to receive the team prize on the podium.

So, Spain is enjoying a great summer of sporting success. Wimbledon, the World Cup, the Tour de France and I understand that Alonso provisionally won the German Grand Prix.