Tour de France 2019 Favourites stage 21: Elysium sprint of the heroic

The first half of Tour de France's last stage is a parade towards the Champs-Élysées in Paris. But once they hit the cobbles of the famed avenue the riders tap deep into their last resources. Yet, the outcome has been a bunch sprint for the past thirteen editions. (Slideshow route/profile)

We have to go back to 2005 for the last rider who managed to hold off a charging peloton on the Champs-Élysées. It was Astana boss Aleksandr Vinokourov, but since then the Tour de France boiled down to a thrilling criterium on the cobbles and an ensuing bunch sprint.

Last year, Alexander Kristoff took the spoils and he succeeded Dylan Groenewegen, how had broken the German hegemony in 2017 with his first Tour de France win. André Greipel (2016, 2015) and Marcel Kittel (2014, 2013) ruled on the Champs-Élysées before him, while it was Cavendish territory in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.

Ewan has been the best sprinter on this Tour so far. He outgunned Dylan Groenewegen and Viviani two times, while the Dutchman and Italian both won one sprint.

Champs-Élysées is French for Elysium, the final resting place of the souls of the heroic and the virtuous in Greek mythology. What a place to end the World’s largest annual sporting event!