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Tour de France, France

Stage 21, Corbeil-Essonnes - Paris Champs-Élysées, 144K

24 July

The Dust Devil's Daily Wrap
The Stone Cold Assassin in Paris

Stages and Maps, The Dust Devil's Daily Wrap

Alexander Vinokourov spoiled the usual text book party run into Paris for the sprinters today. This guy never ceases to amaze me. I wonder when the last time an Alpine stage winner was victorious on the Champs-Elysees in the same Tour? With that little escapade he managed to pass Levi Leipheimer and move into fifth place for the final GC.

I don't know if Vino could win the Tour. He'd have to be very lucky if he was going to find a team next year to protect him enough to win. A team who could do his talents justice. But his scrappy style, pulling seconds here and there, and his all-around abilities make him dangerous enough as a distraction for the other contenders.

Today's final stage is typically a bit foofy with riders donning costumes and sipping champagne as they stroll leisurely into Paris. The weather put a little damper on things-nearly taking Armstrong out in a crash to boot.

So Armstrong goes out on an impossibly high note after taking victory in his seventh consecutive Tour de France. What can you say that hasn't already been said?

Stay tuned tomorrow, The Dust Devil will provide a full Tour de France wrap up.
- The Dust Devil