Stefan Schumacher and Bernhard Kohl sent the soon to be defunct Gerolsteiner, who ends their sponsorship at the end of the 2008 season, with a pair of excellent performances.
Schumacher was the king of the "race of truth" once again, besting all comers including the current World Champion in the discipline, Fabian Cancellara (CSC - Saxo Bank). Meanwhile, Kohl confirmed his form during the 53km time trial and proved that he was more than a one trick mountain climbing pony by staying within a fingernail's length of displacing Cadel Evans (Silence - Lotto) down one notch on the final General Classification (GC) podium. Evans managed to hang on and took second place in the GC for a second consecutive year.The day must have certainly been a disappointment for the overwhelming pre-race favorite Evans, but c'est Le Tour, oui?
Some were probably shocked by another Spanish climber being able to defend a lead in perhaps his weakest discipline, but like Alberto Contador (Astana) the year before, Carlos Sastre (CSC - Saxo Bank) isn't Michael Rasmussen flailingly bad in the time trial. In fact, over the years, Sastre has been fairly steady in the "race of truth" and showed that steadiness on Saturday's definitive stage.
More:
NYT - In a Time Trial, Drama Occurs When the Clock Stops
The Canberra Times - Short again but Cadel's heart second to none
NYT - Sastre All but Locks Up Yellow Jersey in Tour
Steegmans Quick Steps Away
With the GC all but decided on Saturday, the finale on Sunday was a day for the sprinters. The boys from Quick Step finally got it right and helped to deliver Gert Steegmans the prestigious Champs-Ellysees victory. Steegmans, who had the opportunity to have his Wally Pipp moment during the Tour, showed that he is still in need of some seasoning before actually leading his own team as the big Belgian and Quick Step looked completely lost over the three weeks without team leader Tom Boonen.
More:
Super Sport - Steegmans the Champs Elysees sprint king
Yahoo! Eurosport - Tour de France - Sastre takes title as Steegmans wins
Bike Radar - Gert Steegmans to ditch Quick Step for Tinkoff
Conquistadors
On Friday, I wrote that Spain had the opportunity to claim back-to-back Tour titles, which was a complete oversight and totally erroneous on my part. Spaniards have actually won the last three Tours. Lest we forget, Oscar Periero (Caisse d'Epargne) who crashed out on Stage 15, was declared the 2006 Tour de France champion after Floyd Landis lost his appeal on a positive doping charge.
It just goes to show that a true championship is one that is won on the road and not through administrative posturing.
With Periero, Contador, and now Sastre, Spain's renewed vision of conquering the world, the cycling kind at least, looks to have started with their neighbors to the north.
More:
Velonews - A magical year for Spanish sports
San Jose Mercury News - Tour de France: Spanish reign over France
Reuters - Sastre victory to provide consolation for Contador
Final Bill
The 2008 Tour's final "Butcher's Bill" equaled a dozen with Kazakhstan's Dimitri Fofonov testing positive for an illegal banned stimulant. He was immediately sacked by his team, Credit Agricole. He joins Riccardo Ricco and the whole of Saunier Duval - Scott, Moises Duenas (Barloworld) and Triki Beltran (Liquigas) as riders voluntarily or forcibly dismissed from this year's race.
In the past two year's a total of 33 riders have either been shown the door or left willingly.
More:
ESPN.com - The scenic finish can't hide the ugly journey
Bangkok Post - Has the Tour de France turned the corner?
IHT - Race director hails 2008 Tour de France as victory over doping cheats
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