Froome boss Brailsford vows to win Tour again in 2017

Froome boss Brailsford vows to win Tour again in 2017

PARIS - Chris Froome's Sky team manager Dave Brailsford vowed to come back to the Tour and win it again next year following a fourth success in five years.

Great Britain's Chris Froome (L) and Team Sky director Sir Dave Brailsford (R) drink a glass of champagne at the start of the final stage of the Tour de France on July 24, 2016

Froome secured his third win in four years to add to his then Sky team-mate Bradley Wiggins's success in 2012 -- the first for Sky and first for a Briton in the world's greatest bike race.

But just minutes after the 103rd edition of the Grand Boucle ended, Brailsford already had his mind on next year.

"It's very satisfying, we're very happy, this was by far the most enjoyable Tour that we've done," he told Britain's Sky Sports.

"We raced differently (this year), we used a more offensive set of tactics and it was fun, it was racing.

"As always, you get to this point, you get to Paris, you see the Union Jacks and you just feel proud.

"It's a British success story I'd like to think. The team was perfect, it was the best team performance we've put together. Chris was brilliant so overall it's been a great three weeks and we'll come back to do it all over again next year."

Froome dedicated his win to his young child before remembering those who died in the Nice terror attack two weeks ago, during the Tour.

"My son, Kellan, I dedicate this victory to you," said Froome.

"This Tour has obviously taken place against the backdrop of terrible events in Nice and we pay tribute to those who have lost their lives.

"These events put sport into perspective but it also shows the value of sport to free society."

And he once again praised his Sky outfit which despite not winning the team award, had proved they were the strongest throughout the last tree weeks.

"To my team-mates and support team. This is your yellow jersey too," he said "I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for your sacrifice. This is one special team and I'm proud to be a part of it."

- Sun comes out -

Andre Greipel won the final stage on the Champs Elysees in Paris for the second year in a row, saving what had until then been a disappointing Tour for the German.

"I can't describe it. I'm just super proud of what we've achieved today. I've raced for three weeks for that," said the Lotto Soudal sprinter.

"The team kept believing in me. We've tried many times and we walk away from the Tour with two stage wins, with Thomas De Gendt and myself."

It was an 11th stage win at the Tour for Greipel.

"This is another stage win at the Tour de France -- it's wonderful."

Greipel had won four stages last year but apart from losing a photo-finish to Mark Cavendish on the third stage, had not come close this year until the Champs Elysees.

"Let's say you have ups and downs during a Grand Tour," he said.

"An early stage win always can be positive through the next three weeks. We didn't succeed. I lost the third stage with a little bit but we kept trying."

He added: "I wouldn't call it frustrating. Sometimes it rains and sometimes it rains longer, but the sun always comes out and this is what we believed in."

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