It's the final day of the Tour de France. There are some entertaining entries in the updates as usual...

13 H 34 - Simeoni Attacks In First Kilometer
There has been a courageous attack from Filippo Simeoni (DVE) in the first kilometer of the stage. As you might expect, the US Postal team is at the front of the peloton and limiting the gains of the Italian rider.

There's "bad blood" between Simeoni and Armstrong (along with many of the rest of the riders, it would appear). Simeoni tried a break-away a couple of days ago and was reeled in by Armstrong and finished that day at the back of the peloton.

13 H 35 - Simeoni Leads By 100m
The advantage of Simeoni on the peloton is 100m. The rapid chase by the peloton has caused the bunch to split in two groups. This is certainly not how the final stage normally begins.

13 H 43 - Peloton About To Catch Escapee
Simeoni has been caught by the peloton at the 7km mark. He is getting a 'talking to' by one Cofidis rider but it's hard to see if Lance Armstrong himself has had any words to say to the early escapee.

And, then for some comic relief...

13 H 56 - Casper Leads Armstrong...
The rider who began the 20th stage in last place, Jimmy Casper, has raced ahead of the peloton... it was not exactly an attack by the 'Lanterne Rouge', rather just a chance for a photo opportunity. Jimmy reached into his jersey pockets, grabbed a digital camera and took a happy snap of himself leading Lance Armstrong.
Casper will earn his second 'Lanterne Rouge' title (from five starts). The only time he's finished the race was in 2001. He was last. Today he began the stage with a deficit to Armstrong of three hours, 56 minutes and eight seconds.

And, a couple of hours into the race...

15 H 14 - 55km Ridden
The peloton continues to be led by the US Postal team. It has covered 55km of the 163km stage. At the rear of the bunch is the only rider who has attacked today, Domina Vacanze's Filippo Simeoni.

The folks writing the news flashes know they're not being very riveting:

15 H 33 - Peloton In Lagny-sur-Marne
The peloton is now in Lagny-sur-Marne at the 66km mark. US Postal continue to lead. Soon there'll be more to report than just the progress of the peloton. The sprinters' teams are due to start setting up the race for the riders hoping to score points for the green jersey classification. There are another 20km to ride before the peloton reaches the site of the first intermediate sprint.

16 H 14 - Three Riders On The Attack
Three riders are attempting to form an escape group. They are riders from Rabobank, RAGT and Domina Vacanze. When the Rabobank and RAGT riders realized they'd been joined by Simeoni, they immediately stopped their effort.

Oh my. Interesting that they guy keeps on keeping on, eh?

16 H 16 - Ekimov Question's Simeoni's Intentions...
As the bunch caught up with Simeoni, Ekimov (USP) made a gesture which seemed ask the question: What do you think you're doing? The escape is now over and the US Postal team seems intent on leading the bunch into Paris.

16 H 19 - Simeoni Tries Again
Simeoni hasn't yet had enough abuse. He has attacked the peloton for the third time today. He has been scolded the two previous times and, yet again, the US Postal team have chased him down.

Fascinating stuff.

16 H 20 - US Postal Keen To Lead Into Paris
As has been the case in recent years, the US Postal team is at the head of the peloton on the approach to Paris. That's how they want to do it again this year, but Simeoni has attacked... again!

16 H 22 - US Postal In Charge Again
The fourth attack by Simeoni was more to illustrate his intentions that to escape the peloton. He was quickly chased down and the US Postal team is back at the head of the bunch.

16 H 28 - 60km To Go
The peloton is 60km from the finish of the stage. The US Postal team is at the front. The traditional red of their jerseys has been replaced by yellow for the 20th stage.

17 H 43 - Armstrong Creates History!
Lance Armstrong has finished the stage in the middle of the peloton. The American has just created history by becoming the first rider to win the Tour de France six times.

Okay. I'm done. Those of you who couldn't care less about the Tour de France can all heave a big sigh of relief!

Posted on July 25, 2004 by Joanna