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Chris Froome Wins Third Tour De France Title

Chris Froome has become the first British cyclist to win three Tour de France titles.

He safely crossed the finishing line with his Sky team-mates on the Champs-Elysees in Paris at the end of the 21st and final stage, which was largely a processional ride.

The cyclist, wearing the famous yellow jersey, was met just after the line by his wife Michelle and son Kellan.

Later in his podium speech, Froome thanked his team and family before paying tribute to the victims of the terrorist attack in Nice on Bastille Day, midway through the Tour.

He said: "This tour has obviously taken place against the backdrop of terrible events in Nice and we pay our respects, once again, to those who lost their lives in this terrible event.

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"Of course these kind of events put sport into perspective but they also show why the values of sport are so important to free society.

"We all love the Tour de France because it is unpredictable but we love the Tour more for what stays the same.

"The passion of the fans from every nation along the roadside, the beauty of the French countryside and the bonds of friendship created through sport.

"These things will never change. Vive (long live) le Tour et vive la France."

During the three-week race, Froome crashed twice, including one incident where his bike was broken in a collision with a motorcycle.

It meant he found himself memorably running to the finish line.

Froome won the Tour ahead of Frenchman Romain Bardet in second and Nairo Quintana of Colombia who was third in the event seen by many as the world's toughest bike race.

The final stage was won by Andre Greipel who pipped the late-charging world champion Peter Sagan to the line in the traditional sprint in the centre of the capital.

Kenyan-born rider Froome, 31, now adds to his Tour victories in 2013 and last year.

He becomes only the eighth man, not including the disgraced Lance Armstrong, to win three or more Tours.

And he is also the first to successfully defend his Tour title since Miguel Indurain in 1995.

Froome joins Philippe Thys, Louison Bobet and Greg LeMond on three titles.

And he will now have his eyes set on five-time winners Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault, Jacques Anquetil and Indurain.