Super Sunday! Froome and England’s women cricket stars clinch glory
Chris Froome in Paris yesterday and the jubilant England women’s cricket team after their win CYCLING and cricket fans were celebrating a remarkable sporting double last night after a triumphant Sunday for British sport.
Celebrations began when Chris Froome cycled over the cobblestones of the Champs-Elysees to take his fourth Tour de France title.
The Team Sky rider raised a glass of champagne as he completed the final stage of the iconic race, which he won by 54 seconds.
The clearly emotional 32-year-old made straight for his wife Michelle and 19-month-old son Kellan seconds after finishing the gruelling 2,200-mile race.
He said: “It is an amazing feeling, there is something magical about the Champs-Elysees when you have spent three weeks thinking about being here in this moment.
“Each time I have won has been so unique, such a different battle to get to this moment. They are all so special but this will be remembered as the closest and most hard-fought battle. A celebration is definitely overdue.”
He had earlier admitted that to win three tours in a row, and four in all, “was beyond my wildest dreams”.
The victory ensures that Chris, who was made an OBE in 2016, joins the pantheon of cycling greats.
Meanwhile, cricket fans were jubilant after England won the Women’s World Cup in a thrilling final against India at Lord’s.
As excitement reached fever-pitch, the team snatched an unlikely victory in front of a crowd of 30,000 at the packed ground.
The women’s team were staring at defeat but staged a stunning fightback to win by nine runs.
Captain Heather Knight, 26, said: “I can’t stop smiling – the girls have been outstanding.” Praising England’s Anya Shrubsole, 25, who bowled the team to victory with six wickets, she said: “Anya Shrubsole, what a hero. What a day. They were batting brilliantly. The girls really held their nerve.”
A delighted Anya added: “I’m lost for words. For a while it looked like we were out of it, but that’s the beauty of this team. We never give up. It’s been a fitting final for what has been a brilliant World Cup. I didn’t even imagine I’d be here, it’s a dream you never think comes true.”
Odds on Chris Froome winning the BBC Sports Personality Of The Year award were last night cut to 14-1 by leading bookmaker Coral.
Coral’s John Hill said: “Chris Froome is one of Britain’s most successful sportsmen of all time after his fourth Tour de France success and, on the back of his latest win, his odds have been cut to win Sports Personality.”