Cadel Evans crowned Tour de France champ

That's to win the stage, not the tour! There's attacks all the time to win the stage and settle the points classification for the Green Jersey. If you have a link to this interview I'd be happy to read it.

Evans said in an interview that the team sent a rider in the breakaway with the aim of using him to attack on the final lap but the race was to fast and he never stood a chance.

I am really touched by your support, appreciation and educated commentary. It has been great sharing Cadel's journey on The Roar. Still got 2 pieces in me. Tonight's stage and a Tour review. See you tomorrow morning.

I wonder how many people have worn the green, polka dot and yellow jerseys in the same tour? Cadel did this tour.

Australia will become the 12th country to have a tour de france winner. Australia will also become only the second non european country behind the united states to win the "le tour". Cadel Evans will become only the 57th person to win the race. This is currently the 98th edition. most wins individuals Lance Armstrong USA 7 Migual Indurain Spain 5 Bernard Hinault France 5 Eddy Merckx Belguim 5 Jacques Anquetil France 5 Loiuson Bobet France 3 Philippe Thys Belgium 3 Alberto Condator Spain 3 most wins countries France 36 Belgium 18 Spain 13 US 10 Italy 9 ATM Cadel, not only leads the overall classification, but is currently coming 4th in both the green jersey points classification and the king of the mountains classification

Cadel did not say he was going to break tradition and attack. Because the gap to Contador was only 21 seconds and the closest in history for the final stage there was a heck of a lot of media speculation as to whether he would. Cadel made no direct comments about it and his team didn't even bother to attack. Even though in that year's tour there were time bonuses for sprints in the lead up to the finish in Paris, they didn't contest them so your theory holds no water.

Nothing short of magnificent. Cadel Evans victory in the Tour de France might make Europe respect Australian cycling a lot more seriously than in previous years. It is a massive boost for Australian cycling and Australian sport in general. Can't wait for next year's Tour de France-bring it on!!

The true reason is that its virtually impossible to take any time on the last stage. The last stage is short, almost perfectly flat and everybody wants to wins. It is not possible to attack on the final stage because you have half dozen teams willing to chase down any break aways as to give their sprinter a chance of winning. Cadel said that he had plan to attack Contador in 2007 but when the Peleton is riding 70km/h along the Champs-Elysees nobody in the world (except Floydd Landis) could ride away from that.

The tradition was built over decades in the past when just finishing the race was an amazing achievement. So much so the stage is referred to as the tour d'honneur, so attacks for the general classement by tradition don't take place. Also in the past the winners were usually decided well in advance of the final stage. Nowadays the time gaps have been reduced, but the tradition remains. It's part tradition, part 'ceremony'. There are still attacks for sprint places, minor placings, etc., but there are no intermediary points sprints so it's not worth attacking until the final 8 laps. It would not matter if Schleck was 1 sec behind Evans, the tradition would still hold. It's a nice one now that the last stage always ends in Paris. The only time I can think of where it was decided was once when they scheduled a time trial for the last stage and Greg Lemond got up and won it. The whole concept went down like a lead balloon and they quickly dropped it.

Can anyone explain why they have a gentlemens agreement not to race the last leg with 95km to race. After all it is possible to make up 1min especially if he has a puncture etc. Imagine if he was 1 sec ahead would they still have that agreement not to race.

Art I've enjoyed sharing the journey with you. Like Boes, I could tell after 100m of Andy and Cadel's TTs that Cadel would win. Schleck wasn't too bad in fact and interestingly - if Cadel had done Cancellara's time he would have missed by a sole second. Imagine going 1:35 faster than Spartacus. So many memorable stages - the 1st in the Alps and the last 2 especially. What a jounrey and how emotional was he? My favourite bit was when he hugged and kissed the golden lion. And when he put on that golden fleece - he was so moved. We've run out of superlatives so let's just enjoy it.

And African's can't be Australians then redneck?

No one not from a West Africian background has won the Olympic 100 metres (athletics) since 1980.

Great coverage of a marvellous sporting triumph. Thanks Art and congratulations Cadel, last few days have been fantastic. Just the Green Jacket for individual Australians missing now ... although have we ever had an Olympic 100 metre champion? Alas, the heavyweight boxing division these days has become such a mess with different titles etc, its hard to see it as iconic.

Our whole family, the kids and everyone stayed up till 1.30am and watched Cadel last night. Absolutely inspirational and a great role model how he just kept coming in the previous stage and didn't give up!

Art, Thanks for the daily updates. Really, really appreciated.

Well done Art. There is justice in this sport after all. Must apologise to little Thomas Voeckler. I predicted his usual 60th or 70th.

Art, Thanks for your contribution over the past few weeks ,i haven't bothered reading mainstream sports print in relation to the Tour de France, i just come here . Cadel's been outstanding all tour calm and composed inpaticular with journos ,Cadel should now be seen as Australia's greatest ever sportsperson . Has anybody got a tip as to who the Australian sportsperson of the year will be next year . The tour may forever evade Frank and Andy, but i hope they come back for another try .

the preceding nights were massive in the Alps, he kept things doable for the TT. Kept it all within striking distance. Its hard to pick one day in a grand tour like this. Has actually been a brilliant season ... from Tirreno-Adriatico and his great rides there right through to July and the TdF ... what a year!

A great journey from you Art. Thanks. Cadel was solid for the whole tour, but I thought he may have been the victim of an unwanted piece of history. Watching his first 50m and Schelcks (x2) 50m of the ITT he just looked strong and confident. After the first time check I got out of bed and stood in front of the TV anxious, excited and finally elated, it was an awesome hour of viewing. It was a complete tour from a complete rider and thoroughly deserved.