Cycling: On the last stage of the Tour de France it still worked out for the current German champion. Like last year, André Greipel (Lotto Soudal) left the sprinter competition behind. Second was Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) ahead of Alexander Kristoff (Katusha). Marcel Kittel (Etixx-Quick Step) was just as unable to intervene in the final sprint as was Frenchman Bryan Coquard (Direct Energie). Also honored after the race were Chris Froome (Sky) in yellow, Peter Sagan in green, Rafal Majka (Tinkoff) in mountain jersey and Adam Yates (Orica-BikeExchange) in white.
Chris Froome as a water or beer carrier
Throughout the three weeks, Chris Froome's eight helpers had to work for him. Of course, this also included the transport of water bottles. Today, however, the Brit returned the favor to his colleagues and became a beer supplier. This happened at the beginning of the race when the field of riders was, as usual, quite comfortable. 54,5 kilometers before the end, the finish line on the Champs-Élysées was crossed for the first time, but the winner of the day was not to be crowned until the ninth time. After a hearty gulp, Team Sky then took control before the sprint teams lined up at the front. Tony Martin (Etixx-Quick Step) was no longer there. One of Marcel Kittel's most important helpers in preparing for the sprint complained of knee pain and gave up around 50 km before the end.
Breakaways have no chance – Greipel wins the Sprint Royal
Another German, namely Marcus Burghardt (BMC) tried the almost hopeless attack on the Champs-Élysées with some other drivers. They weren't given a big lead, however, so it ended up being a mass sprint, as expected. Marcel Kittel didn't play a role because he couldn't place at the very front in the last kilometer. Bryan Coquard was also unable to take part in the decision as he suffered a flat tyre. Alexander Kristoff had a helper with him for the last few meters, who started the sprint for him. However, he was unable to convert this advantage because André Greipel passed him on the right and took Peter Sagan with him in tow. The Slovakian was almost able to overtake Greipel, but in the end he was a few centimeters behind. Shortly before the finish line, the rear wheel slipped away slightly, but it probably wouldn't have been enough anyway. Like last year, André Greipel thus won the final stage.
Tour de France stage #21: The daily standings
Tour Locations | Driver | Country | Team | Time |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | André Greipel | Germany | Lotto Soudal | 2:43:08 |
2. | Peter Sagan | Slovakia | Tinkoff | + 0: 00 |
3. | alexander kristoff | Norway | Katusha | + 0: 00 |
4. | Edvald Boasson Hagen | Norway | Dimension Data | + 0: 00 |
5. | Michael Matthews | Australia | Orica Bike Exchange | + 0: 00 |
6. | Jasper stuyven | Belgium | Trek-Segafredo | + 0: 00 |
7. | Ramunas Navardauskas | Lithuania | Cannondale | + 0: 00 |
8. | Christophe Laporte | France | Cofidis | + 0: 00 |
9. | Sam Bennett | Ireland | Bora Argon 18 | + 0: 00 |
10. | Reinardt Janse van Rensburg | South Africa | Dimension Data | + 0: 00 |
Tour de France stage #21: final standings of the general classification
Tour Locations | Driver | Country | Team | Time |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | Christopher Froome | Great Britain | Sky | 89:04:48 |
2. | Romain Bardet | France | Ag2r | + 4: 05 |
3. | Nairo Quintana | Colombia | Movistar | + 4: 21 |
4. | Adam Yates | Great Britain | Orica Bike Exchange | + 4: 42 |
5. | Richie porte | Australia | BMC | + 5: 17 |
6. | Alejandro Valverde | Spain | Movistar | + 6: 16 |
7. | Joaquim Rodríguez | Spain | Katusha | + 6: 58 |
8. | louis meintjes | South Africa | Lampre Merida | + 6: 58 |
9. | Daniel Martin | Ireland | Etixx Quick Step | + 7: 04 |
10. | Roman Crucifier | Czechia | Tinkoff | + 7: 11 |
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