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Cycling fans must know the words to God Save the Queen by heart by now. 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:For the past five Grand Tours in a row, the British national anthem has blared out over the final podium ceremony. On Sunday evening it played for 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Simon Yates on Madrid's Plaza de Cibeles, as the 26-year-old was officially crowned the winner of the 2018 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Vuelta a España.

"I'll keep this one short," Yates said as he addressed the crowds, who, naturally, didn't cheer as loudly as they did for Alejandro V𓂃alverde and Enric Mas, but nevertheless greeted him warmly.

"I'm not very good with speeches, and I don't know any Spanish꧒."

Yates was invited up onto the podium three times beforeꦍ the anthem played – first as winner oℱf the combined classification, then as the winner of the overall classification, then as part of the final podium.

Each time he raised both arms straight in the ai🌟r above his head. There was a broad, childlikꦕe smile across his face but also a glint in his wide eyes, which seemed to dart from side to side. No tears, but certainly a sense of bewilderment.

"I want to thank my team, they've had a lot of belief in me from the very beginning. I really need to thank them for believing in me," h🌠e continu💜ed.

"I'd also like to thank my family. We've had some tough times in the past, but of course, they always stick by me. Also my girl♔friend, and of course my friends."

A special vote of thanks went to Gerry Ryan, the Australian businessman who has financed the 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Mitchelton-Scott team since its very beginning in 2012.

It is understood that Yates turned down offers from Team Sky an🏅d other teams when deciding where to start his professional career, and that he and his brother themselves identi𓃲fied the Australian team as the place where their careers had the best chance of flourishing. How wise that decision now seems.

"A really big thank you to Gerry Ryan," Yat꧃es said. "He's the main reason our teams exists and without him, we would not be here today. Just a really big thank you to the Ryan family."

Aware of his initial promise, and perhaps aware that the beer supp🦋ly at the team bus had been steadily draining ✨for a good hour, Yates signed off, now a Grand Tour champion.

"Thank you to 🔯everybody, tha🐲nk you to all the fans."