By Thomas Dodd
- Britain’s Chris Froome wins third Tour de France title after final day in Paris
- Frenchman Romain Bardet and Nairo Quintana complete podium, with Bury’s Adam Yates the best young rider in fourth
- German sprinter Andre Greipel wins 21st and final stage of 2016 race.
PARIS, FRANCE – Chris Froome sealed a historic third Tour de France title after seeing out the final day to ride onto the Champs Elysees in the yellow jersey.
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After making it to the final three kilometre mark unscathed, Froome was able to drop back and join his team to ceremoniously roll across the line in the French capital to celebrate a job well done.
Victory places the Briton into an elite group of riders who have triumphed in the world’s most famous cycling race three times – Louison Bobet, Philippe Thys and Greg Le Mond.
German sprinter Andre Greipel pipped Peter Sagan to claim his first win of the race at the final attempt and take his second successive win in the Tour’s iconic curtain closer.
The day started as ever in a relaxed mood, with riders and teams alike cycling serenely through the French countryside, as the famous landmarks of the race’s annual finish city loomed into view.
When the race hit the Champs Elysees, several breakaways daringly tried to escape the clutches of the peloton only for the sprinters’ teams to reel them in each time.
On the final run down to the finish Greipel quickly overthrew Katusha’s Alexander Kristoff before holding off a charging Sagan to maintain his remarkable run of winning at least one stage of every Grand Tour he has entered since 2008.
In the absence of Britain’s Mark Cavendish, who abandoned on Stage 16 after claiming four stage wins, the likes of Marcel Kittel and home favourite Bryan Coquard would have fancied their chances, but both were victim of misfortune during the nine laps of the Parisian streets.
Once the racing had stopped, the presentations began in earnest, allowing Froome to celebrate in front of the large masses, many of whom had travelled over the English Channel.
After accepting the yellow jersey for one final time – having first taken it on stage 8 – Froome was joined on the podium by Romain Bardet and Nairo Quintana.
Moments earlier, Brit Adam Yates took centre stage to receive the white jersey for the best young rider, while Sagan claimed the super combativity prize for most attacking performer over the three weeks, as well as his fifth green sprinters jersey.
Tinkoff teammate Rafal Majka took home the polka dot jersey as King of the Mountains.
Most riders will now focus on heading to Rio for the Olympic games before the Vuelta a Espana in September.
The 2017 Tour de France route will be released as always in October last this year.
Stage 21 Result (Chantilly to Paris-Champs Elysees 113km)
1. Andre Greipel (GER) Lotto Soudal 2hours43minutes08seconds
2. Peter Sagan (SVK) Tinkoff +00
3. Alexander Kristoff (NOR) Katusha +00
4. Edavald Boasson Hagen (NOR) Dimension Data +00
5. Michael Matthews (AUS) Movistar +00
6. Jasper Stuyven (BEL) Trek Segafredo +00
7. Ramunas Navardauskas (LIT) Cannondale +00
8. Christophe Laporte (FRA) Cofidis +00
9. Sam Bennett (IRE) Bora Argon-18 +00
10. Reinhardt Janse van Rensburg (RSA) Dimension Data +00
Brits
12. Daniel McLay, Fortuneo +00seconds
34. Adam Yates, Orica, +00
112. Stephen Cummings, Dimension Data +00
132. Geraint Thomas, Sky +00
138. Chris Froome, Sky +00
137. Luke Rowe, Sky +00
140. Ian Stannard, Sky +00
Final Overall Standings:
1. Chris Froome (GBR) Sky 89h04m48seconds
2. Romain Bardet (FRA) AG2R +4m05
3. Nairo Quintana (COL) Movistar +4m21
4. Adam Yates (GBR) Orica +4m42
5. Richie Porte (NZ) BMC Racing +5m17
6. Alejandro Valverde (ESP) Movistar +6m16
7. Joaquim Rodriguez (ESP) Katusha +6m58
8. Louis Meintjes (RSA) Lampre-Merida +6m58
9. Dan Martin (IRE) Etixx-QuickStep +7m04
10. Roman Kreuziger (CZE) Tinkoff +7m11
Brits
15. Geraint Thomas, Sky +28m31
140. Stephen Cummings, Dimension Data +4h17m03
151. Luke Rowe, Sky +4h27m49
161. Ian Stannard, Sky +4h31m34
170. Daniel McLay, Fortuneo +4h50m14
Abandoned after Stage 16: Mark Cavendish, Dimension Data
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