Belgian rider's first child, a baby daughter named Lou, born during the stage to Guegnon
It's not everyday that a rider celebrates the birth of a child during a Tour de France stage, and still less often does that stage end in team victory as well. 2009 Belgian Time Trial champion, Maxime Monfort, of HTC-Columbia, managed just that in Friday's Stage 6. 27-year-old Maxime Monfort heard the news of the birth of his first child during the stage to Guegnon. His wife, Lauren, gave birth to the couple's first child at 15.45, a baby girl, Lou.
It was a happy day in the HTC-Columbia camp. The congratulatory sentiments flowed merrily after the stage, but he one heard loudest was the one from the day's victor, Mark Cavendish. He was notified of the news by Sporza during their post-race interview with him.
The already happy Manxman brightened still further with the news: "This is a beautiful gift. I knew they would call her Lou. Congratulations to Lauren and Maxime! It was a long day for Maxime. He showed great character in the heat. I'm so glad that I have someone like him in my team."
Unfortunately for Monfort, he still has two weeks of the biggest race on earth to get through before he can see his wife and new daughter again.