FROOME WINS THIRD TOUR DE FRANCE TITLE IN FOUR YEARS

Sharing beer and champagne with teammates, Chris Froome celebrated his third Tour de France title in four years Sunday.

The Kenyan- born British rider finished safely at the back of the main pack in the final stage, arm- in- arm with his teammates during the mostly ceremonial leg ending on the Champs- Elysees in Paris.

“Thanks for your kindness in these difficult times. You have the most beautiful race in the world. Vive le Tour, Vive la France,” Froome told the crowd in French during the trophy ceremony, referring to the recent attacks in Paris and Nice.

Immediately after finishing, Froome was greeted by his wife and infant son, who he took in his arms.

“To Michelle my wife and my son Kellan, your love and support make everything possible. Kellan, I dedicate this victory to you,” Froome said in a speech he read from the winner’s podium, also thanking his teammates and coaches. Andre Greipel of Germany won the 21st leg in a sprint finish.

At the start of the stage, Froome dropped back to his Team Sky car to collect bottles of beer and distributed them to each of his eight teammates for a celebratory round.

Then it was time for the traditional flute of champagne.

Froome rode a yellow bike to go with his yellow jersey, helmet, gloves and shoes. His teammates had yellow stripes on their jerseys and yellow handlebars on their bikes.

Froome also still had bandages on his right knee and elbow, the result of a downhill crash two days earlier.

Having begun the stage with more than a four- minute advantage over Romain Bardet of France, Froome and his team- mates dropped back just before the finish and he lost some of his margin.

Froome finished 4 minutes, 5 seconds ahead of Bardet, while

Nairo Quintana of Colombia finished third overall, 4: 21 back.

STEPHANE MANTEY, AP Chris Froome thanked his wife and infant son during his speech.