"He wanted so badly to finish the race, " said Phinney's teammate, Thor Hushovd, a former world champion.

WSJ: Taylor Phinney: This Is Not a Story About Last Place��Jason Gay

Not according to this food blog from Esquire, which takes a look at the daily diet of rider Thor Hushovd.

FORBES: What Fuels Tour De France Riders?

Norway's Thor Hushovd, who also won the Tour prologue on July 1, won the final stage in a sprint ahead of the main pack, which included Landis and his closest rivals.

NPR: American Landis Wins Tour de France

Arvesen, the champion of Norway, went on to clinch his first stage win in three hours 58 minutes and 13 seconds, to add to countryman Thor Hushovd's win on stage two.

BBC: SPORT | Other sport... | Cycling | Arvesen sprints to Tour stage win