Paris, July 27 (IANS) Tour de France winner Chris Froome says he will never dishonour the yellow jersey after winning the coveted cycle race for the second time.

The Briton held his nerve and clinched the trophy while battling abuse from spectators over accusations of doping throughout the race which ended on Sunday. His performance was even termed as abnormal by a French physiologist.

“The yellow jersey is very special. I will always respect it and never dishonour it,” Froome was quoted as saying by BBC after the win on Sunday.

In a close contest, the 30-year-old defeated Colombian Nairo Quintana to the title by 72 seconds.

It proved to be the second closest finish in the race’s history since Carlos Sastre beat Cadel Evans by 58 seconds in 2008.

Froome also became the first rider since Eddy Merckx in 1970 to clinch both the mountain classification and overall race in the same year.

He had earlier won the race in 2013. He had also triumphed in Tour de Romandie-a swiss stage race in 2013 and 2014.