Chris Froome has put on a near-perfect performance to claim his fourth Tour de France and move within one title of cycling’s greatest.
The Briton suffered a few hiccups but was always in control over the three-week race thanks to his team mates who sheltered him when it mattered, leaving the lanky rider to make the difference in the time trials.
But there was glory for Australia as Team Sunweb rider Michael Matthews’s versatility earned him the green jersey for the points classification, helped by the fact that world champion Peter Sagan was kicked out of the race after elbowing Mark Cavendish in a sprint finish.
Matthews was confirmed as the third Australian to win the green jersey, having effectively secured the gong in the 19th stage, provided he finished the race.
The 26-year-old deposed Sagan, the winner of the past five green jerseys, after winning stage 14 in Rodez and the 16th stage in Romans-sur-Isere, building up a huge lead over German rider Andre Greipel.
“It’s really a dream come true to stand there with the green jersey,” Matthews said, whose French team-mate Warren Barguil clinched the polka dot jersey as king of the mountains.
“It’s been a rollercoaster with a lot of highs and lows. The second week was when mine and Warren’s dreams started to come true.
“We more or less took it in turns with the wins and continued the momentum together, along with the rest of the team.
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