SB Nation Boston - Tour de France 2012: Bradley Wiggins Wins Stage 19, Is Unofficial Overall Winner

Tour de France 2012: Great Britian's Bradley Wiggins Earns Countries First Crown

2012-07-22T17:20:04Z

History was made at the Tour de France Sunday, as Great Britian's Bradley Wiggins earned his country its first crown. Wiggins protected his yellow jersey by finishing the tour's final stage, which heads into the heart of Paris. On Saturday, Wiggins all but cemented his victory by dominating the tour's final time trail.

Wiggins' teammate Christopher Froome finished in second place -- 3 minutes, 21 seconds behind Wiggins -- while Italy's Vincenzo Nibali came in third. This was the first time since 1984 that riders from the same team finished 1-2.

The winner of the final stage was Wiggins' teammate Mark Cavendish, who collected his third victory of the tour. Overall, Wiggins earned two victories during the tour. Meanwhile, his Briton teammates hauled in a country record seven victories as riders David Millar and Froome each collected wins.

Stick with this StoryStream for recaps, updates and more from the 2012 Tour de France. For all things cycling, head over to Podium Cafe.

Tour de France, Stage 20: Route, TV Schedule, Live Updates And More

2012-07-22T12:00:24Z

It has been a long and difficult 23 day journey for riders at the 2012 Tour de France, but the end is in sight. Sunday morning will mark the start of Stage 20, the final race of the tour. British cycler Bradley Wiggins has already essentially clinched the title, leading second place rider and teammate Christopher Froome by 3:21.

Stage 20 is a mostly flat 130 kilometer course taking riders from Rambouillet to the famous Champs Élysées street in Paris. Mark Cavendish won the last three Stage 20 races, but he has struggled at this year's Tour de France.

Stage 20 will be broadcast on NBC Sports Network beginning at 8 a.m. Eastern Time. A recap of the 2012 Tour de France will be shown on NBC at 1 p.m. Eastern Time. Tour de France Live is also available on the computer and on various mobile apps.

Stick with this StoryStream for recaps, updates and more from the 2012 Tour de France. For all things cycling, head over to Podium Cafe.

Tour de France 2012 Results: Bradley Wiggins Has Unofficial Overall Win After Stage 19 Win

2012-07-21T15:49:43Z

Bradley Wiggins (Sky) is set to become the first British cyclist to ever win the Tour de France after a dominant performance in Stage 19 of the 2012 Tour. Wiggins wins the race's final time trial by more than a minute, with his teammate Christopher Froome coming in second. Luis Leon Sanchez (Rabobank) was third.

Wiggins is an excellent time trial rider, and with three time trials the 2012 Tour was well suited to him. His opponents were ready to test him in the mountains, but with the help of Froome and the rest of Team Sky Wiggins was able to match or best every attack. His closest rival headed into Stage 19 was Vincenzo Nibali of Liquigas-Cannondale, but he was more than two minutes back and had little chance of making up that time. Stage 20 of the Tour de France is a largely ceremonial ride that does not effect the General Classification, so the final podium will be Wiggins, Froome and Nibali.

Stick with this StoryStream for recaps, updates and more from the 2012 Tour de France. For all things cycling, head over to Podium Cafe.

2012 Tour de France, Stage 19: Route, TV Schedule, Live Updates And More

2012-07-21T10:00:12Z

Stage 19 of the 2012 Tour de France takes place Saturday, and if Team Sky's Bradley Wiggins can replicate his performances in the Tour's previous two time trials he will lock up his hold on the yellow jersey. Stage 19 is a 53.5km time trial from Bonneval to Chartres, and it is the final decisive stage in the race. Wiggins came in second in the tour's opening time trial and dominated the mid-race TT, building an advantage of over two minutes on his nearest rival. That advantage has held through the mountains, and Wiggins currently holds an advantage of 2:41 over Vincenzo Nibali of Team Liquigas-Cannondale. Wiggins' Sky teammate Christopher Froome is currently in second. All things considered, things look good for Bradley Wiggins' quest for his first Tour de France title.

Television coverage of the stage is provided by the NBC Sports Network and begins at 8 a.m. ET. Fans can watch online via Tour de France Live, with a subscription required.

Stick with this StoryStream for results, updates and more from the 2012 Tour de France. For all things cycling, head over to Podium Cafe.

Tour de France 2012 Results: Cavendish Wins 2nd Stage Of Tour, Wiggins Still Leads

2012-07-20T16:03:15Z

Sky's Mark Cavendish came from behind with a beautiful sprint to take the 18th stage of the 2012 Tour de France.

Cavendish was led out by teammates Bradley Wiggins and Edvald Boasson Hagen to the back o the breakaway group, and with about 300 m to go Cavendish made his run. The Briton showed why he is one of the best sprinters in the world, easily blowing past Peter Sagan for the victory.

This is the second stage win for Cavendish in the 2012 TdF and the 22nd of his career.

Bradley Wiggins still sits comfortably ahead of teammate Chris Froome, leading by two minutes and five seconds with just two stages to go in the tour. Barring something catastrophic in the last two stages, Wiggins should win his first Tour de France

Tejay van Garderen remains the top American in the tour, trailing Wiggins by eight minutes and thirty seconds and in fifth place. Garderen looks set to claim the Young Rider classification, leading Thibault Pinot by three minutes and sixteen seconds.

Stick with this StoryStream for results, updates and more from the 2012 Tour de France. For all things cycling, head over to SB Nation's cycling blog Podium Cafe.

Tour de France 2012, Stage 18: TV Coverage, Route And More

2012-07-20T10:00:15Z

Stage 18 puts riders on the 2012 Tour de France back on relatively flat land. Sprinters should shine Friday across the 222.5-kilometer trek from Blagnac to Brive-la-Gaillarde. There will be 65 points up for grabs in the points classification, though Peter Sagan has all but wrapped up the green jersey with over 100 points on second-place Andre Greipel.

Bradley Wiggins will ride in the yellow jersey for an 11th straight stage. With teammate Chrisopher Froome in second place providing support, time is running out on challengers looking to unseat Wiggins atop the leaderboard. Tejay Van Garderen is still the highest-standing American in fifth place overall, 8:30 off the lead.

Television coverage of the race can be found on the NBC Sports Network, starting at 8 a.m. Eastern. Fans can also watch the action online with a subscription to Tour de France Live.

For complete standings check out NBCSports.com.

Stick with this StoryStream for results, updates and more from the 2012 Tour de France. For all things cycling, head over to SB Nation's cycling blog Podium Cafe.

2012 Tour de France, Stage 17: Route, TV Schedule, Live Updates And More

2012-07-19T12:00:27Z

Cyclists riding in the 2012 Tour de France are getting closer and closer to a triumphant ride down the Champs-Élysées in Paris. Racers will wrap up the notorious mountain stages of the course on Thursday when they tackle Stage 17.

Stage 17 features a pair of difficult climbs over the 143.5 km stretch. This stage begins on Thursday morning at Bagnères-de-Luchon-Peyragudes.

Chris Fromme is trailing Bradley Wiggins by 2:05. He needs a strong ride on Thursday to make a run at the Yellow Jersey. On Wednesday, Thomas Voeckler won his second stage of the race, cruising through Stage 16, one of the most difficult stages in the race.

Television coverage of the race can be found on the NBC Sports Network, starting at 8 a.m. Eastern. Fans can also watch the action online, with a subscription to Tour de France Live.

For complete standings check out NBCSports.com.

Stick with this StoryStream for results, updates and more from the 2012 Tour de France. For all things cycling, head over to SB Nation's cycling blog Podium Cafe.

Tour de France 2012 Results: Thomas Voeckler Picks Up Second Win In Stage 16, Bradley Wiggins Retains Lead

2012-07-18T20:52:02Z

Thomas Voeckler picked up his second win of the 2012 Tour de France when he won the 122.4-mile Stage 16 from Pau to Bagnères-de-Luchon. Voeckler's win on Wednesday came after the final rest day on Tuesday. He also won Stage 10 of this year's Tour de France.

Voeckler finished 1'40" ahead of second place finisher Chris Anker Sørensen. Bradley Wiggins was able to hold onto his yellow jersey and the overall lead after Stage 16. His lead is 2'05" over Chris Froome. Cadel Evans fell out of the top five and is now seventh, 8'06" behind the leader.

American rider Tejan van Garderen moved ahead of his Evans, his BMC teammate, and is now sixth. Van Garderen is 7'55" behind Wiggins. He extended his lead over Thibault Pinot in the young riders classification to 3'48".

For updated standings, visit http://tourdefrance.nbcsports.com/standings.

Stick with this StoryStream for results, updates and more from the 2012 Tour de France. For all things cycling, head over to SB Nation's cycling blog Podium Cafe.