Froome heads to Paris for 3rd crown

MORZINE, France – After two crashes, a bloodied knee and even a run up legendary Mont Ventoux, a relieved Chris Froome can cruise into Paris on Sunday and secure his third Tour de France title in four years.

Froome kept his lead intact during the final day of climbing – and descending – in the Alps on Saturday and heads to the mostly ceremonial finish on the Champs-Elysees with a comfortable advantage of 4 minutes, 5 seconds over Romain Bardet of France.

“It feels like it’s been a roller coaster,” Froome said. “It’s just been an amazing race where I’ve really taken on the race.”

The highlights for Froome were a daring downhill attack and stage victory in the eighth leg and getting into a late breakaway amid strong crosswinds in Stage 11.

“You just can’t script moments like that,” Froome said. “It’s bike racing at its best. ... I really felt like a kid again.”

Froome was also slowed by a motor bike crash on Ventoux, prompting him to run up the road when he saw that his bike was damaged. He then fell hard on a slippery descent in Stage 19 on Friday.

Wearing bandages on his right knee and elbow for Saturday’s stage, Froome was never in trouble as his top lieutenants at Team Sky escorted him up and down each of the day’s four climbs.

“It’s been a really intense race. ... It was incredible to cross the last finish line with my teammates,” Froome said. “They were with me for the entire Tour.”