Tour de France, Day 10

After more than 3 weeks of hard racing, the first half of the final stage into Paris is really little more than a procession - a chance for the riders to enjoy their spoils, safe in the knowledge that they can put their feet up for a few days. As the boys get closer to Paris, however, the race heats up. Sure, the general classification is very, very rarely decided on the last day, but there's been more than one occasion when Aussies have sprinted down the cobbles of the Champs-Élysées to claim the green jersey.

So, armed with this knowledge, we wandered up to our seats under an unsettled sky, safe in the knowledge Armstrong should come away in yellow, but quietly hoping Robbie McEwen might manage to grab green on the line. Through Bikestyle's contacts we'd managed to secure some seats on the finishing straight about 250 m from the line. Not a bad spot considering Paris was an absolute madhouse and the crowd was 4 or 5 people deep along the length of the Champs-Élysées.

While we didn't know it at the time, the overall classification was officially decided before we had even set eyes on the riders from our vantage point. Due to the changeable weather, the powers that be had effectively stopped the clock before the riders hit the cobblestones in order to reduce the likelihood of a pile-up in the race for the line. I'm still not sure if points were on for the sprinters in the race for the green jersey, but in the end, it didn't really matter. Ever-attacking Vino out-foxed everyone with 500 m to go and comfortably claimed the stage victory ahead of the out-and-out sprinters.

In the end, it was Rasmussen in the polka dots, Hushovd in green and a man named Armstrong in yellow. Seven times straight is an incredible achievement and there's been much speculation since Armstrong's retirement on whether anyone will repeat such a feat. There's been plenty of chat, too, on whether he'd beat a Merckx or a Hinault while at their best. In the end though, who cares? Armstrong's story is his own. It's the stuff of sporting folklore.

Kristi and Pete on the Champs-Elysees.

The crowd waits.

Here they come.

And off they go!

And back they come (I'm getting dizzy now).

Rabobank celebrate.

The King (of the Mountains) enjoying his spoils.

T-Mobile thanks the crowd.

Jan's still smiling.

Discovery take their applause.

Armstrong gets thanks from all around.

It doesn't take long for the party to start.

Landis looking for a way out.

Basso looking pleased with his efforts.

Popovych, the best young rider.

Will his record ever be beaten?

Sunset on Paris.