Congratulations To Cadel Evans & Mark Cavendish

[Dagabond]

Cadel Evans joined the greats of Australian sport with his historic win in one of the toughest, longest and most challenging sporting events in the world - the Tour de France.

Evans made it official when he crossed the finish line of the 95km 21st and final stage of the race at 1.30am AEDT.

Evans, who had turned the opening stanza of the race into a celebration march by toasting with champagne and chatting happily to his rivals, finished safely in the peloton as Mark Cavendish rushed off with the stage win.

Cavendish was helped to his fifth victory by Australian teammates Matt Goss and Mark Renshaw, who led him out to the line.

Evans rode the first part of the stage on a yellow bike, wearing his yellow jersey and with a yellow helmet on.

Before the race hit the Champs Elysees, he switched the bike for his normal racing machine to ensure he made it safely across the finish line.

Every one of the six Australians who started the three-week race also finished it this morning in a stellar performance.

Renshaw and Goss, in his first Tour de France, spent much of their time helping Cavendish to multiple stage wins.

Stuart O'Grady was working for Andy and Frank Schleck, who will finish second and third overall.

Simon Gerrans has ridden as part of the Team Sky outfit while Richie Porte rode shotgun for defending champion Alberto Contador.

[Buf-Phoon]

BBC news had this as their lead story to put some context.

An absolutely awesome result in the premier event in a truly global sport.

Deservedly should go down as momentous Australian sporting achievement.

Well done champ

[Ralph Wiggum]

Well Done Cadel. As mentioned on the news last night, one of if not the biggest sporting achievement by an Aussie Individual.

Onya champ you've earned it

[Corzza]

Great ride by the Aussie!

[robbo k]

watched the tour from the start. that stage 20 time trail was a massive ride.

and all riders got to finish the tour even though the officals had to bend the rules abit

[tray_182005]

This is the greatest thing ever to happen to him

So many times he has had bad luck but this time only 1 down fall with the bike playiny up but like true champ he got back up and court the pack

On ya cadel