<p>Tour de France yellow jerseys are usually won high in the mountains or on the time trials, even a mixture of both, but Vincenzo Nibali’s triumphant ride to Paris began on unfamiliar terrain -- the cobblestones.</p>.<p><br />In driving rain on the feared cobbles of northern France, cyclists crashed off in stage five in all directions, some, like 2013 champion Chris Froome, terminally.</p>.<p><br />However, with twice former champion Alberto Contador losing two minutes as he tip-toed around the greasy curves, Nibali calmly rode through the mayhem to seize control of the race and never looked in danger of relinquishing his hold.</p>.<p><br />When Contador crashed out on a descent during the 10th stage, Nibali's path to glory was clear.<br />“The cobblestones stage was the most important for the overall victory,” Nibali said on the Champs Elysees on Sunday after an emotional rendition of the Italian national anthem.</p>.<p><br />“I was nervous about that day although I knew I could do something great. My sports director said go out and enjoy it and I said what is there to enjoy, it's pouring with rain?!<br /><br />“But I rode calmly. I think my mountain bike experience helped on that day as I felt in control of my bike.”</p>.<p><br />With Froome and Contador out, Nibali was a cut above the rest of the field in the mountains and he extended his lead, leaving France's Jean-Christophe Peraud and Thibaut Pinot to jostle for the second and third steps of the podium with Spain’s Alejandro Valverde.</p>.<p><br />Some suggested Nibali would not have won with Froome and Contador still there fighting in the mountains, but Nibali said: “I think I would still have done a great race but for sure it would have been harder because they are both great climbers and great leaders.</p>.<p><br />“But I prepared well for this race and it showed it on the mountain stages. At every mountain finish I was there. I was feeling great. “Froome and Contador are great champions and I hope I will be able to race against them next year.”</p>.<p><br />Fellow Italian Mario Cipollini, a sprinter who won 13 Tour stages in eight participations but never reached Paris, said Nibali was a worthy champion.</p>.<p><br />“I think he would have won anyway this year even if they hadn't crashed,” he said. “He has proved he can manage a race well.”</p>.<p><br />Nibali is now the sixth man to win all three grand tours after Belgian Eddy Merckx, Frenchmen Jacques Anquetil and Bernard Hinault, Italian Felice Gimondi and Contador.</p>.<p><br />“I've never really thought about records or history I just take each stage of my career, step by step,” said Nibali, who kissed his parents, his wife and five-month old daughter Emma Vittoria shortly after crossing the line.</p>.<p>Nibali is the first Italian to win the Tour since the late Pantani in 1998.<br /></p>
<p>Tour de France yellow jerseys are usually won high in the mountains or on the time trials, even a mixture of both, but Vincenzo Nibali’s triumphant ride to Paris began on unfamiliar terrain -- the cobblestones.</p>.<p><br />In driving rain on the feared cobbles of northern France, cyclists crashed off in stage five in all directions, some, like 2013 champion Chris Froome, terminally.</p>.<p><br />However, with twice former champion Alberto Contador losing two minutes as he tip-toed around the greasy curves, Nibali calmly rode through the mayhem to seize control of the race and never looked in danger of relinquishing his hold.</p>.<p><br />When Contador crashed out on a descent during the 10th stage, Nibali's path to glory was clear.<br />“The cobblestones stage was the most important for the overall victory,” Nibali said on the Champs Elysees on Sunday after an emotional rendition of the Italian national anthem.</p>.<p><br />“I was nervous about that day although I knew I could do something great. My sports director said go out and enjoy it and I said what is there to enjoy, it's pouring with rain?!<br /><br />“But I rode calmly. I think my mountain bike experience helped on that day as I felt in control of my bike.”</p>.<p><br />With Froome and Contador out, Nibali was a cut above the rest of the field in the mountains and he extended his lead, leaving France's Jean-Christophe Peraud and Thibaut Pinot to jostle for the second and third steps of the podium with Spain’s Alejandro Valverde.</p>.<p><br />Some suggested Nibali would not have won with Froome and Contador still there fighting in the mountains, but Nibali said: “I think I would still have done a great race but for sure it would have been harder because they are both great climbers and great leaders.</p>.<p><br />“But I prepared well for this race and it showed it on the mountain stages. At every mountain finish I was there. I was feeling great. “Froome and Contador are great champions and I hope I will be able to race against them next year.”</p>.<p><br />Fellow Italian Mario Cipollini, a sprinter who won 13 Tour stages in eight participations but never reached Paris, said Nibali was a worthy champion.</p>.<p><br />“I think he would have won anyway this year even if they hadn't crashed,” he said. “He has proved he can manage a race well.”</p>.<p><br />Nibali is now the sixth man to win all three grand tours after Belgian Eddy Merckx, Frenchmen Jacques Anquetil and Bernard Hinault, Italian Felice Gimondi and Contador.</p>.<p><br />“I've never really thought about records or history I just take each stage of my career, step by step,” said Nibali, who kissed his parents, his wife and five-month old daughter Emma Vittoria shortly after crossing the line.</p>.<p>Nibali is the first Italian to win the Tour since the late Pantani in 1998.<br /></p>