Egan Bernalis making history…
The 22-year-old Colombian cyclist, who currently rides for Team Ineos, has become the first Colombian to win the Tour de France after he retained the overall leader’s yellow jersey after Sunday’s 21st and final stage won by Australia’s Caleb Ewan.
Bernal, the youngest rider to win the race in 110 years, gave Team Ineos — formerly Team Sky— their seventh title in the past eight editions.
He beat teammate and defending champion Geraint Thomas of Britain with Dutchman Steven Kruijswijk coming home third.
Also the winner of the white jersey for the best Under-25 rider, Bernal did not win a single stage, but he was first at the top of the Col de l’Iseran when the 19th stage was stopped because of hailstorms and landslides in the Alps.
Kruijswijk’s Jumbo-Visma team shone throughout the race, winning four stages through Dylan Groenewegen, Wout van Aert, Mike Teunissenand the team time trial.
Briton Adam Yates failed to impress but his Mitchelton-Scott team also claimed four stages. Yates’ twin brother Simonwon two stages while Matteo Trentinand Daryl Impeytook one apiece.
France’s Julian Alaphilippe, who wore the yellow jersey for 14 days but cracked in the Alps and ended fifth overall, was the race’s most exciting rider.
The world No. 1, who had looked to become France’s first winner since Bernard Hinaultin 1985, was voted this year’s most aggressive rider after also winning two stages.
“Alaphilippe changed the deal of this Tour de France, no question about it,” said Tour director Christian Prudhomme.
“There was also the absence of [four-time champion] Chris Froome, which gave hope to many riders.”
Slovakian Peter Saganwrapped up a record seventh green jersey for the points classification, surpassing the previous mark he held jointly with German Erik Zabel.
Frenchman Romain Bardetwon the polka dot jersey for the mountains classification, a consolation prize after dropping out of overall contention early on.
Bernal is the third-youngest and first Latin American winner of the Tour de France.