It was the 11th stage, it was wind battered and it was absolutely unbelievably incredible. Robert Hunt, a South African, finally brought SA a Tour de France stage win.
South African Robert Hunter won a crash-hit bunch sprint to take the 182,5km 11th stage of the Tour de France on Thursday.
The Barloworld rider beat Swiss Fabian Cancellara of the CSC team by half a wheel. Brazil’s Murilo Fischer came home third for the Liquigas team.
I have had emails, phonecalls and family and friends bugging me to post about this (sorry I have been a bit busy, my bad). This just goes to show how incredible and groundbreaking this event is for South Africans the world over. The Cooksister emailed me commanding me to get on it since she was shouting herself hoarse when he won the stage
This is what Hunt had to say:
“I don’t think I could be any happier,” said Hunter, who came round the bend at the 245m marker and began his drive to the finish line almost immediately.
“It’s a massive victory for me, and for South Africa.”
“It was a very difficult stage, there was a lot of wind. It was not easy to win in such a crazy finish,” said Hunter.
“It is very important to me to win a stage on the Tour de France. I am speechless.”
This is brilliant news for the Barloworld team. And I must say I think that thanks must go out to Barloworld for providing the support that a South African team needs to be successful at the highest levels.
Lets just hope that the doping scandal that has been plaguing the Tour de France can be taken care of soon.
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July 22nd, 2007 at 9:31 pm
*Blush* You make me sound like I’m demanding or something
Great post though and I am still so thrilled for Robbie and the whole team. People do not realise the level of commitment and skill that it takes to complete the Tour – imagine running a marathon every day for three weeks. For a South African to win a stage is a stunning achievement and I’ll be rooting for the Barloworld team all the way to the finish.