Cycling News

27 July 2008

By Simon Gerrans

The final stage of the Tour is a great day for any bike rider participating in the race. We have rode 3500km over the past 3 weeks and have been challenged by sun, wind, rain, mountain passes, crazy descents, doping issues, illness and disappointments. On the other side, the energy of the spectators was something else and the personal joy of accomplishing my life long dream of a stage victory in the most challenging race in the world is something that I will never forget.

It is tradition on the last day of the tour for the bunch to take it easy until reaching Paris and then the race is on once we reach the Champs Elysees…the same was done this year. Sastre and his CSC team mates cracked open some champagne for a toast with their directors while rolling along in the neutral zone. During this time it was a great opportunity to catch up with some riders and talk about the last 3 weeks.

Reaching Paris for the 4th time out of 4 starts is something that I’m proud of, but the feeling of finishing your first Tour is something else. I was wrapped for Brett Lancaster, Trent Lowe, and Adam Hansen to experience the goose bumps of turning onto the Champs Elysees for the first time. I had the chance to speak to the guys on the ride into Paris and they all seemed relieved and happy to have made the finish. I also got through this tour without hitting the pavement, which is quite an achievement. I’ve had 3-4 crashed in each of the last three tours so to not ‘bit the dust’ this time around was great!!

Now on to the 4th week of the Tour de France, the post Tour Criteriums…I’ll keep you posted.

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