July 28, 2002 (Paris, France) – The Tour de France is over, after a 144k
jaunt into Paris. Lance Armstrong has won his fourth Tour. The Stage began
in its traditional leisurely way, with the pack averaging a
very casual 30km/h for the first hour. Although the race for the
Yellow Jersey was decided, the sprinters’ Green Jersey was still neck and
neck between Erik Zabel (Telekom) and Robbie McEwen (Lotto). The first points
sprint was taken by McEwen, meaning that the Australian had a three point
lead going into the Champs-Elysées. In order for Zabel to take his sixth
Green Jersey he would have to not only beat McEwan, but beat him by a few
places.
After a flurry of attacks, including a shortlived breakaway with Polka Dot
Jersey wearer Laurent Jalabert (CSC-Tiscali), who was on his last Paris
stage and in his last Tour de France, the peloton came together for a final
sprint. Team Telekom and Lotto both led their riders out, and ultimately it
was McEwen who took not only the Green Jersey but the stage as well – his
second Champs-Elysées career win.
Armstrong rode in, surrounded by his USPS teammates, in a comfortable 43rd.
With his fourth Tour under his belt, the question is: can he break the
all-time record of five Tours won by Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard
Hinault and Miguel Indurain?
Stage 20 – Melun -Paris-Champs-Elysées, 144 km
1. Robbie McEwen (Aus) Lotto-Adecco 3.30.47 (39.85 km/h)
2. Baden Cooke (Aus) FDJeux.com
3. Damien Nazon (Fra) Bonjour
4. Fabio Baldato (Ita) Fassa Bortolo
5. Davide Casarotto (Ita) Alessio
6. Stuart O’Grady (Aus) Credit Agricole
7. Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Deutsche Telekom
8. Jan Svorada (Cze) Lampre Daikin
9. Arvis Piziks (Lat) CSC-Tiscali
10. Nicola Loda (Ita) Fassa Bortolo
11. Christophe Agnolutto (Fra) Ag2R Prevoyance
12. Gianluca Bortolami (Ita) Tacconi Sport
13. Danilo Hondo (Ger) Team Deutsche Telekom
14. Thor Hushovd (Nor) Credit Agricole
15. Leon van Bon (Ned) Domo-Farm Frites
16. Laurent Brochard (Fra) Jean Delatour
17. Nico Mattan (Bel) Cofidis
18. Massimo Apollonio (Ita) Tacconi Sport
19. Andrea Tafi (Ita) Mapei-Quick Step
20. Andy Flickinger (Fra) Ag2R Prevoyance
Final G.C:
1. Lance Armstrong (USA) US Postal Service 82.05.12 (39.88 km/h)
2. Joseba Beloki (Spa) ONCE-Eroski 7.17
3. Raimondas Rumsas (Ltu) Lampre Daikin 8.17
4. Santiago Botero (Col) Kelme-Costa Blanca 13.10
5. Igor Gonzalez de Galdeano (Spa) ONCE-Eroski 13.54
6. José Azevedo (Por) ONCE-Eroski 15.44
7. Francisco Mancebo (Spa) iBanesto.com 16.05
8. Levi Leipheimer (USA) Rabobank 17.11
9. Roberto Heras Hernandez (Spa) US Postal Service 17.12
10. Carlos Sastre (Spa) CSC-Tiscali 19.05
11. Ivan Basso (Ita) Fassa Bortolo 19.18
12. Michael Boogerd (Ned) Rabobank 20.33
13. David Moncoutié (Fra) Cofidis 21.08
14. Massimiliano Lelli (Ita) Cofidis 27.51
15. Tyler Hamilton (USA) CSC-Tiscali 28.36
Final Jersey Winners:
Green – Points classification : Robbie McEwen (Lotto-Adecco)
Polka Dots – Mountains classification : Laurent Jalabert (CSC-Tiscali)
Red Number – Most combative rider : Laurent Jalabert (CSC-Tiscali)
White Jersey – Best young rider : Ivan Basso (Fassa Bortolo)
Best Team Overall: ONCE-Eroski