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By Chris Whyatt
1254: CSC's young Luxembourg star Andy Schleck has France passes constitutional reforms ...
Freed hostage Betancourt arrives in Paris ... just been chatting before they set off: "We all could have been a leader in any other teams," he said. "We simply had the best nine riders out there."
And here's Im_partial - TDF tops on 606.
"It's great to see so many young riders (Roman Kreuziger in addition to Andy Schleck?) emerge on GC, as well as young climbers (Augustyn, Froome) and sprinters (Cavendish). At the same time, the old and well-loved guard (Jens Voigt, Erik Zabel, Robbie McEwen) are still around to provide a welcome link to the better past.
"This Tour (for me) was one of the better in recent memory. I am still amazed that we didn't set the podium until after yesterday's stage."
1245: The sun has got its hat on and we're under way as riders depart from the start in Etampes, home to French monarchs as far back as the 10th century. Sastre, resplendent in yellow, is emitting a regal air after managing to concede just 29 seconds to Aussie Cadel Evans in the "race of truth" time trial yesterday.
Team CSC look a picture of health as they cruise along with their arms on each other's shoulders. Aside from giving Sastre a leg-up to victory, I guess that's because they're less than 143km from completing the Tour's gruelling 3,559km total distance.
1238: Given all that jazz, today is surely the perfect time for us to debate just where the Tour de France as a sporting entity stands at this point in time given the flood of controversy from which it has been unable to escape in recent years.
Care to reflect on is the continued emergence of more talented young riders - Mark Cavendish and Andy Schleck to name two - on this year's Tour? Do you sense renewed hope that the doping tide may be (relatively) turning?
As as Scouser with fiery eyes once said to me when presenting an open bag of crisps - get involved. Your thoughts on the final stage
1225: Hello people. Fancy a lazy canter down Paris' Avenue des Champs-Élysées?
That's what yellow jersey-wearing Carlos Sastre will have been dreaming of last night and, barring a hugely unlikely mishap, that's what will happen this afternoon as the 2008 Tour de France draws to a close in Paris.
The largely symbolic stage 21 from Etampes to the French capital may see some frenzied sprint attacks as a herd of proud cyclists try to put their name in lights - but nothing should jeopardise the Spaniard's position on top of the podium such are the last day customs of the world's greatest race.
(BBC)
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