Chris Froome claimed his fourth Tour de France title on Sunday, as Dylan Groenewegen won the final stage on the Champs Elysees.
It was the biggest win of Groenewegen’s career. The 24-year-old Dutchman went early, but knew he had the power to hold off his rivals. Andre Greipel surged too late, to finish second, while Edvald Boasson Hagen came third.
However, the day belonged to Froome, who was able to enjoy the 103km stage from Montgeron to the Champs-Elysees, and celebrate a third successive Tour de France title and fourth overall.
Froome is now behind only Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain, who all have five titles (Lance Armstrong was stripped of his seven).
‘I’m speechless, it is an amazing feeling, there is something magical about the Champs Elysees when you have spent three weeks thinking about being here in this moment,’ said Froome.
‘It is amazing to see my wife and son again – it feels like more than a month on the road.
‘Each time I have won has been so unique, such a different battle to get to this moment, they are all so special, but this will be remembered as the closest and most hard-fought battle. A celebration is definitely overdue.’
South Africa’s Louis Meintjes finished eighth in the general classification.
Froome’s winning margins:
2013: Defeats Nairo Quintana by four minutes 20 seconds
2015: Defeats Nairo Quintana by one minute 12 seconds
2016: Defeats Romain Bardet by four minutes five seconds
2017: Defeats Rigoberto Uran by 54 seconds
Stage 20 result:
1. Dylan Groenewegen (Ned/LottoNL-Jumbo) 2hrs 25mins 39secs
2. Andre Greipel (Ger/Lotto-Soudal) Same Time
3. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor/Dimension Data)
4. Nacer Bouhanni (Fra/Cofidis)
5. Alexander Kristoff (Nor/Katusha-Alpecin)
6. Borut Bozic (Slo/Bahrain-Merida)
7. Davide Cimolai (Ita/FDJ)
8. Pierre-Luc Perichon (Fra/Fortuneo-Oscaro)
9. Ruediger Selig (Ger/BORA-hansgrohe)
10. Daniele Bennati (Ita/Movistar Team)
General classification after stage 21:
1. Chris Froome (GB/Team Sky) 86hrs 20mins 55secs
2. Rigoberto Uran (Col/Cannondale-Drapac) +54secs
3. Romain Bardet (Fra/AG2R La Mondiale) +2mins 20secs
4. Mikel Landa (Spa/Team Sky) +2mins 21secs
5. Fabio Aru (Ita/Astana) +3mins 05secs
6. Dan Martin (Ire/Quick-Step Floors) +4mins 42secs
7. Simon Yates (GB/Orica-Scott) +6mins 14secs
8. Louis Meintjes (SA/Team UAE Emirates) +8mins 20secs
9. Alberto Contador (Spa/Trek-Segafredo) +8mins 49secs
10. Warren Barguil (Fra/Team Sunweb) +9mins 25secs
Photo: @letour_uk
