Hushovd wins the last stage

Stage Details _ Two climbs: Cote de Gil-sur-Yvette (category-four at the 43.5km mark) and the final ascent of the 2006 Tour: the Mont-Valerien (category-four at 72.0km). _ Intermediate sprints: in Boulogne-Billancourt (at 92km) and Champs-Elysees, 3rd lap (116.5km). _ Weather conditions: Overcast, little wind and temperatures of approximately 30 degrees Celsius. _ Number of starters: 139 – Florent Brard (CEI) was not at the sign on for the final stage. Official start time: 155pm. _ _ _ The Progress Report _ _ Tranquil Start To Final Stage _ As is expected of the final day of the Tour de France, there were no attacks in the early phase of the stage. The Phonak team stayed at the front of the peloton and the mood was festive. The average speed for the first hour was 30.0km/h. Rasmussen led the peloton over the first summit to add another three points to his tally in the climbing classification. It was little more than a gesture from the bunch to allow him to show off his polka-dot jersey. The average speed for the 2nd hour was 34.0km/h. _ _ Ekimov Honored _ The ‘lanterne rouge’ of the 2006 Tour Wim Vansevenant (DVL) led his team-mate McEwen to the line of the first intermediate sprint and then the Phonak team resumed its position at the front of the pack for the arrival on the streets of Paris. The oldest rider in the race led the peloton over the line on the first of eight laps of the Champs-Elysees. It was a gesture to honor the 40-year-old rider who has missed only two Tours since his debut in 1990. _ _ The Obligatory Attacks… _ At the top 103km mark, Beneteau (BTL) launched the first attack. It lasted only 500m before Hernandez (EUS) tried his luck but he was caught at 110km. The riders who attacked in the first few laps of the finishing circuit included: Commesso (LAM), Millar (SDV), Voeckler (BTL), Wegmann (GST), Voigt (CSC) and Astarloza (A2R). The points for the 2nd sprint were won by: Wegmann, Astarloza and Voigt… who were caught by the peloton at 117.5km. _ _ 15 Escape With 35km To Go… _ The 15 riders who attacked with 35km to and reached a maximum lead of 40” on the peloton were: Popovych (DSC), Voigt (CSC), Astarloza (A2R), Horner and Vansummeren (DVL), Garcia Acosta and Portal (CEI), Charteau (C.A), Hernandez (EUS), Millar (SDV), Gilbert and Mengin (FDJ), Fedrigo (BTL), Knees (MRM) and Duenas Nevado (AGR). The Cofidis team was in charge of the peloton’s pursuit. This group split and Astarloza, Horner, Garcia Acosta, Charteau, Millar and Mengin remained up front until the 139km mark. _ _ Hushovd Wins On First & Last Days Of 2006 Tour! _ The pace of the peloton was so high in the last two laps that no escape attempts gained any momentum. Vasseur (QSI) tried but failed, then came a surge from Flecha and even Ekimov. With two kilometres to go, Discovery Channel had Hincapie and Popovych swapping turns to try and get ahead of the peloton but over the Place de la Concorde it was time for the sprinters to strut their stuff. McEwen hit the turbo button coming out of the final turn but didn’t have the power to sustain the effort all the way to the finish line. Hushovd powered past in the last 200m to claim his second victory in the 2006 Tour de France – a fitting finale for the prologue winner. _ _ Landis: 69th Today – Champion Of Three Weeks! _ Floyd Landis lost eight second to the stage winner but his yellow jersey was never in doubt. He finished 69th in the stage but became the third American to win the overall title of the Tour de France.