Tour de France 2021 LIVE: Stage 21 latest updates as Tadej Pogacar looks to retain title today
Follow live updates from the final stage of this year’s Tour de France
This year’s edition of the Tour de France comes to a conclusion on the Champs-Elysees today, with two key storylines to follow.
Tadej Pogacar, who has been clad in the yellow jersey since stage seven, will look to become the youngest rider ever to retain the title. The 22-year-old Slovenian has been dominant over the last three weeks and seems a lock to win the race this afternoon, though the stage victory could go to another rider.
Mark Cavendish’s remarkable resurgence this summer has seen the Manx rider win four stages to equal the all-time overall stage wins record held by Eddy Merckx, and one more this afternoon would see the 36-year-old go clear of the Belgian legend. Cavendish in fact has history on the Champs-Elysees, which provides one of the fastest finishes in cycling, having won four times. A record fifth win there would of course give way to the Manxman claiming the record everyone has been talking about during this year’s race. Cavendish can also ensure he holds onto the green jersey with a stage victory, although it is likely he will not need the win to keep the points classification lead as his nearest challenger Michael Matthews is not expected to win in Paris.
Follow live updates from the final stage of the Tour de France below.
Tour de France latest: Stage 21
Pogacar is loving today and so he should. The two drivers of the motorbike are the latest to pay their respects to the Slovenian.
Tour de France latest: Stage 21
What has been your favourite moment of this year’s Tour de France? Let me know @dylanterryjnst on Twitter and I’ll pick out some of my favourites.
I’ll go first: Cav’s first win.
Tour de France latest: Stage 21
77km to go: Vingegaard blows a kiss to the camera as we watch footage of Froome and Thomas receive their unofficial awards ahead of today’s stage.
Still nothing going on in the peloton, but I’ll do my best to keep things interesting.
Tour de France latest: Stage 21
Classy Pogacar pays homage to his fellow countryman Primoz Roglic after he was forced to abandon the race following injuries he sustained in a crash during the first week.
Roglic was number 11 at the Tour this year.
Tour de France latest: Stage 21
Tim Declercq appreciation post. The Deceuninck-Quick Step man has been relentless on the front throughout this Tour de France.
Tour de France latest: Stage 21
A lot of colour on show before today’s stage.
Tour de France latest: Stage 21
85km to go: Still no movement in the peloton. All the riders are having a lovely little chat as if they’re out on a club run.
Nothing to report from the race just now.
Chris Froome has been handed the unofficial ‘nicest, most polite’ award by organisers ASO. Another thing you simply love to see.
The four-time winner has conducted himself brilliantly during the 2021 Tour de France.
Tour de France latest: Stage 21
Andre Greipel is riding his final Tour de France stage today. The German sprinter has won 11 stages of the Tour and is a real legend of the race.
Chapeau Big Andre!
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