Vincenzo Nibali wanted to show he was ‘the boss’ in taking his fourth stage win of the Tour de France today to all-but seal overall victory.
Scenic: Nibali (right) sppeds down the Tourmalet pass on his way to his fourth stage win. Photo: AP
Nibali (Astana) added victory on the 145.5-kilometre 18th stage from Pau to Hautacam to wins in Sheffield, La Planche des Belles Filles and Chamrousse.
The Italian – the first yellow jersey holder since Eddy Merckx in 1974 to win four stages outside of time-trials – began the day with an advantage of five minutes 26 seconds and enhanced his lead to a near-unassailable 7mins 10secs with just three stages to go.
Bar a major blow, he will win the yellow jersey in Paris on Sunday.
Nibali’s Astana team boss Alexandre Vinokourov said on letour.com: “This is a great victory and a show of strength by the whole team. Vincenzo wanted to prove he was the boss. He really wanted to win that stage.”
Nibali added on letour.com: “It’s fantastic to have won four stages. I didn’t believe I’d do that.
“There aren’t many stages till the finish now and my lead is consolidated. I’m pretty serene.” – Mail Online
View the results here.
