Bradley Wiggins (Sky) gave a dominant ride in Stage 19 of the 2012 Tour de France, winning the stage by more than a minute and locking up the overall victory in the Tour. When crowned on Sunday he will become the first British rider to ever win cycling's most prestigious race. Teammate Christopher Froome takes second for the stage, with Rabobank's Luis Leon Sanchez in third.
With this year's race featuring three time trials, it was Wiggins' race to lose. He's an excellent time trial rider, and once he proved capable of fending off the attacks the other riders made in the mountains his route to victory was clear. Froome will join him on the podium, finishing second in both the stage and the overall race. Vincenzo Nibali (Liquigas-Cannondale) was the closest man to Wiggins at the start of Stage 19, but he was bested by more than four minutes. He takes third in the General Classification to round out the podium.
Stage 20 is the last chance for the sprinter to take a stage win and is extraordinarily unlikely to have an effect on the General Classification. Wiggins can enjoy the ride into Paris knowing his place in history is secure.
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