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Tour de France rider proposes live on TV while participating in final stage

Cyril Gauthier popped the question while racing towards the finish-line of the 2017 Grand Boucles

The final stage of the Tour de France is a largely ceremonial procession to the Champs-Élysées where the winner of the race celebrates with his teammates and family. The classification jersey wearers are crowned victorious and the podium ceremony with the Arc de Triomphe as a back-dropped takes place. Before the race hit’s the center of Paris where the race heats up as the sprint teams try to take a prestigious win, the leader and his teammates drink champagne, riders proceed at a casual pace as they share stories and laugh after three intense weeks of racing. For French rider Cyril Gautier of AG2R- La Mondial who helped teammate Romaine Bardet take third overall, it was also the perfect opportunity to propose to his girlfriend on the biggest stage.

After about 20 kilometres covered, Gauthier called over one of the live television motorcycles broadcasting the stage. As the cameraman approached, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper he unfolded and revealed a message written on it. A proposal to his girlfriend Caroline. The message read, “Caroline, Will you marry me? I love you.”

Gauthier then folded up the paper and blew a kiss into the camera at which point fellow Frenchman Pierre Rolland who rides for Cannondale-Drapac entered the picture and began enthusiastically screaming, “Say yes! Say yes!” in French as he held up a heart with his fingers.

We hope Caroline was watching.

UPDATE: According to SBS sports broadcaster, 12 time Tour de France stage winner and three-time green jersey winner Robbie McEwen, Gauthier’s girlfriend Caroline said yes.

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