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!
Favourites 12st stage 2019 Tour de France
*** Dylan Groenewegen, Elia Viviani, Caleb Ewan
** Peter Sagan, Michael Matthews, Alexander Kristoff
* André Greipel, Jasper Stuyven, Sonny Colbrelli
Take a look at the route of the 21st stage on the Tour de France.
Tour de France 2019 stage 21: profile and circuit
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