Dane Jonas Vingaard won the 109th Tour de France as the world famous race traditionally ended on the grand Champs Elysées in Paris.
The Dane crossed the line safely in Paris in Sunday’s largely ceremonial finals on the arms of his teammates, deciding to enjoy the celebrations in the main peloton rather than be part of the battle to cross the line first.
Vingeard took the comfortable overall victory, edging closest rival Slovenian Tadej Pogacar by more than three and a half minutes.
“It’s just amazing,” the Dane said after crossing the line.
“Now I’ve finally won the Tour. Now nothing could go wrong more and I’m sitting here with my daughter and it’s just amazing.
“It’s the biggest cycling race of the year, the biggest you can win and now I’ve done it and nobody can take it away from me.
“I’m super happy with my victory now. Of course I want to celebrate, I want to relax, but I always want more.”
Vingaard also won the polka dot jersey, which is awarded to the rider who scores the most points on the various climbing stages of the circuit.
Former winner Geraint Thomas, 36, completed the overall podium, having finished more than seven minutes off Vingaard’s pace.
“I always make the most of it,” said the Welshman.
“As I’ve said many times, I’m much closer to the end of my career than the beginning, so really enjoy it, soak it all up and enjoy days like this because they don’t don’t come too often.”
The battle for the coveted yellow jersey traditionally ends in the final stage of Saturday’s time trial, so most riders can enjoy Sunday’s race through Paris with glasses of champagne, while sprinters take center stage.
Vingaard and Wout van Aert enjoying the celebrations on the final stage. Photo: AP
It was rather the Belgian rider Jasper Philipsen who won the sprint finish of the last stage under the Paris sun, followed by the Dutchman Dylan Groenewegen and the Norwegian Alexander Kristoff.
“I can’t believe it, it’s a childhood dream come true,” said Philipsen, who claimed his first Tour victory on stage 15 in Carcassonne. It will take time to realize this. I’m just super proud of the team. That we can finish a Tour like this is the icing on the cake.
“I think it went well for me. I was in a great position and I think Dylan was forced to take off early and I could stay in his wheel and do my final sprint whenever I wanted. I’m super happy and proud – to win on the Champs-Elysées is every sprinter’s dream.”
The green jersey, awarded to the rider who wins the most points in the sprints, went to Belgian Wout van Aert.
