Tour de France 2021 LIVE: Stage 21 latest updates as Tadej Pogacar looks to retain title today

6km to go: This stage is a procession for the first half of the day but far from a party in the second half. This is a real fight for the win.

Quick Step still on the front of the peloton as they have been for almost all of the last 25 kilometres.

Tim Declercq back on the front as he takes over from Alaphilippe. Cavendish’s team have done a great job of controlling the race so far.

The bell goes. This is the final lap.

8km to go: World champion Julian Alaphilippe hits the front as we enter the final 10 kilometres of this year’s Tour de France. The peloton is strung out as the pace becomes remarkably fast in the main bunch.

The breakaway trio are going to be caught very soon. The gap is just 10 seconds now.

10km to go: Past the Arc de Triomphe we go once more as the French flag flies underneath it. Are we set to witness history in the coming minutes?

Franck Bonnamour, the man who won the combativity award for most aggressive rider in this year’s race, has gone off the front.

Only 15 seconds separate the peloton from the front of the race.

12km to go: Wout van Aert safely tucked in the peloton, coasting in his Belgian champion’s jersey as Quick Step continue to press on the front. DSM also helping them a little now.

A counter-attack goes as the main trio up front are still 20 seconds in front. Still a way to go but the peloton are not having this all their own way.

14km to go: Will we be celebrating a record-breaking 35th win at the Tour de France for Mark Cavendish in around 10 minutes time? Not long until we find out now.

Quick Step still on the front. No sign of Alpecin-Fenix’s train of yet.

16km to go: Tim Declercq ever-present at the front of the peloton. The giant Quick Step rider is powering on the main bunch as everyone continues to position themselves perfectly for the finish.

The gap goes back up to 25 seconds as the sprint trains dangle the breakaway out there like bait on a fishing line.

18km to go: And in the blink of an eye the gap is under 20 seconds. You just cannot escape the jaws of the peloton in Paris.

The three out front are giving it everything, while Quick Step are coasting at the front of the peloton. Well, as much as you can coast at speeds approaching 70 km/h.

20km to go: Into the final 20 kilometres we go and the trio have around 35 seconds advantage. Still very little given the amount of distance still left.

22km to go: Tensions are running very high in the peloton now. The speed is immense.

23km to go: Another trio is away now. Ida Schelling, Michael Valgren and Brent Van Moer have around 20 seconds on the peloton.

Quick Step comfortably controlling the race though. You can hold me responsible if I’m wrong, but this WILL end in a sprint finish.