Cyclist Oscar Onley equalled the best-ever Scottish finish in the Tour de France at the weekend and says the performance has “sparked a dream” for the future.
The 22-year-old finished fourth to match a 41-year-old record set by Philippa York, who was then known as Robert Millar, in 1984.
Speaking afterwards, Onley, who finished one minute and 12 seconds behind third-placed Florian Lipowitz, insisted he never had any plans for the general classification (overall standings) at the start of the race.
He told ITV Sport: “We never really had the plan to go for GC in the beginning. It was more just see how it goes.
“To be honest, I’ve never even thought about a top five in the Tour before, so to get it in my first try in GC is quite incredible and I’m excited for the future.
“It gives me a lot of confidence for the upcoming races as well as these are the top guys and in top shape in the biggest race.
“So if I can do it here then why not in other races?
“I’ve just taken every day as it’s come really and not made any extra stress as the Tour is already stressful enough, just to ride and compete.
“I’m really happy with how myself and the team have managed these three weeks.
“I guess this is a really big moment in my career.
“I don’t really realise it yet, but I think just with talking to other riders, going forward now we have something to build on and an exciting project for the future, and it sparks a bit of a dream.”
Tadej Pogacar celebrated his fourth Tour de France title in Paris but was denied what would have been a stunning final stage victory as Wout van Aert rode away on the wet cobbles of Montmartre to win on the Champs-Elysees.
Pogacar looked keen to take what could prove to be a unique opportunity to win in yellow in Paris as the introduction of three ascents of the climb to Montmartre reshaped the usual final day procession, but Van Aert broke clear on the last time up to take the glory.
Although the general classification times had been neutralised in the soggy conditions, Pogacar still had to finish to secure his title yet was willing to risk it all on the greasy cobbles in pursuit of a fifth stage win of this Tour.
The Slovenian attacked each time up the narrow climb to whittle down a leading group to just a handful of riders, but had no response when Van Aert made his move 400 metres from the summit of the final ascent, winning solo by 19 seconds from Davide Ballerini.
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