This time, there were no grand declarations. When Vincenzo Nibali took the microphone to greet the multitudes on the Champs-Élysées, the newly-crowned Tour de France champion's speech was a simple one. Words of thanks for his team and his family, and tears of joy as the magnitude of his achievement dawned on him.

"It's the most important moment, the most beautiful moment. Standing on this podium on the Champs-Élysées is something unique and standing on the highest step is even more beautiful than I could ever have imagined," Nibali said.

Rather than ad lib, the Sicilian opted to read his speech from a sheet of paper. One senses that it was simply to ensure that he didn't forget to thank any of those closest to him amid the emotion of the occasion.

Immediately on crossing the line, Nibali had been greeted by his wife Rachele and their infant daughter, Emma, as well as his parents Salvatore and Giovanna, while Astana general manager Alexandre Vinokourov surveyed the scene. Atop the podium, Nibali carefully thanked both his personal and professional support.

Unlike last winner's Chris Froome, Nibali stuck to his native tongue for the duration of his speech, although he switched to French for his sign off. "Merci à tous les français e merci a tout le monde," he said shyly, to applause from those lining the Champs-Élysées.


"Finally I can say it: I've won the Tour de France. And finally I can start to recover my energies. It was a huge effort. I had the jersey from the second day and that's not easy."

In adding the Tour de France to his victories at the Giro d'Italia (2013) and Vuelta a España (2010), Nibali becomes only the sixth rider in history to win all three Grand Tours, following in the wheel tracks of Eddy Merckx, Jacques Anquetil, Felice Gimondi, Bernard Hinault and Alberto Contador.