FABULOUS FROOME REELS IN FOURTH CROWN
CHRIS Froome was set to be crowned Tour de France champion for a fourth time overnight after mauling his rivals with an emphatic timetrial masterclass.
Froome put the exclamation mark on another title by taking the stick to closest threats Romain Bardet and Rigoberto Uran on the 22.5km race against the clock on the streets of Marseilles.
Colombian Uran elevated himself to second overall, while French hope Romain Bardet had a nightmare, slipping to third.
Winless this year and with doubters starting to circle, the largely ceremonial last stage into Paris overnight served to remind the cycling world of Froome’s enduring power.
“It’s just an amazing feeling. Absolutely an amazing feeling,” Froome said of another Tour de France win.
“Obviously it was so close coming into this time trial. It was basically all still to race for out on the road today, so I’m just blown away.
“There was a fair bit of pressure, but I think for me it’s always a good thing having pressure. It just motivates me even more.”
Froome’s fourth crown follows his 2013, 2015 and 2016 triumphs and puts the Brit in rare company.
Only five-time winners Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain are more successful in the world’s biggest bike race.
Froome has worn the yellow jersey in this year’s edition for 15 of a possible 21 days, but for the first time in his Tour de France reign he failed to win a stage.