Chris Froome was flanked by his Team Sky mates as he crossed the line on the Champs-Elysees, and claimed the famed maillot jaune of the 2017 Tour de France by a margin of 54 seconds.
Froome’s third victory in a row, and a fifth in eight years for Team Sky, came after three hard weeks of racing, with the team holding the race lead for 19 of the race’s 21 stages.
Yellow helmets and race numbers also signified victory in the Tour’s team GC for the first time – a classification Team Sky led from start to finish – with seven minutes and 14 seconds over nearest rivals Ag2r-La Mondiale.
Mikel Landa clinched fourth overall on the day, one tantalising second off a podium spot, after putting together a strong race and taking his opportunities while riding in support of Froome.
A fourth win elevates Froome to fifth on the all-time list of winners, with just Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and Miguel Indurain now ahead of the Kenyan-born Brit.
It also continues the 32 year old’s incredible run of Grand Tour results, placing no worse than fourth in every three-week race he’s finished – a record which now dates back to 2011.
“I’m speechless. It’s just an amazing feeling,” said Froome after climbing off his bike in Paris.
“The Champs Elysees never disappoints. There’s something magical about it when you’ve spent three weeks thinking about being here and this moment. It’s so rewarding, every time.
“Each time I’ve won the Tour it’s been so unique, so different, such a different battle to get to this moment. They’re all so special in their own ways. This year will be remembered as being the closest and most hard-fought battle between the GC rivals.”
Rigoberto Uran Takes Second:
In Paris on Sunday evening, Rigoberto Uran climbed onto the podium as the 2017 Tour de France runner-up to Froome.”
“Finishing second to Froome at less than a minute seems pretty good to me,” said Uran. “It’s a quality final podium in Paris, so this is the greatest success of my career. This result is dedicated to my family, friends, my team and everyone who has supported me during the last three weeks.”
While the 22-kilometer lone effort out on the roads of Marseille determined the final general classification order, it was, of course, a culmination of work done up until that point to put Uran in a position to capitalize on a strong penultimate stage time trial.
A stage win into Chambery on the final day of the first week announced Uran as contender. From there, Uran’s star rose alongside his results as he cannily pocketed bonus seconds, 22 in total, and carefully metered his efforts.
“We knew it would be difficult to win the Tour but not impossible, so we gave it everything,” said Uran. “It’s been a great Tour.”
Groenewegen Wins on the Champs-Élysées:
Dylan Groenewegen sprinted to win his first grand tour stage in the best way, on the Champs Élysées for the close of the 2017 Tour de France. Team LottoNL-Jumbo’s Dutch sprinter bolted to the front with 250 metres remaining and held it to the line.
Team LottoNL-Jumbo celebrated its second Tour de France stage victory of 2017 after Primoz Roglic’s Galibier solo move and the eighteenth victory this season.
“This is amazing,” said the emotional 24-year-old after his win. “I was fighting with Kristoff for the right wheel. Before that, Robert, Paul and Tom kept me out of the wind.
“Primoz did a great job by pulling on the front of the bunch. I came out of the turn in second place. The sprint felt like it lasted a century and I just grab it.
“This is a beautiful day for a win like this. We had loads of critics, but on the most important day for sprinters, we prove we can do it. We won on the Champs-Élysées, that is unbelievable.”
Simon Yates Awarded White Jersey:
The conclusion of the Tour de France saw Simon Yates officially awarded the white jersey for the best young rider.
Yates backs up the result of twin brother Adam Yates, who won the jersey 12 months prior for ORICA-SCOTT, becoming just the second British rider to claim the classification and the first ever brothers to share the title.
“I think it’s a great thing,” Yates said of he and his brother’s achievements. “I hope it’s one of those thing that we look back on and see it as a great achievement that we’ve won the white jersey as brothers back-to-back.”
The 24-year-old’s consistency across the three-week, 3540km Tour saw him finish in seventh position overall. He took the white jersey on stage five and held it right through to Paris.
“I tried when I could to attack but also saved energy by staying in the wheels when it was the right time too,” Yates said. “Whenever I have the opportunity to attack I like to race aggressive. I think it’s great for the fans, but riding GC is also about picking the right time to do that and the right time to sit back and I am learning that.
“A lot of things have contributed to this throughout the three weeks. I had a good prologue and it was actually earlier in the race when I made the most difference. Louis had a great ride and clawed a lot of time back on me but I managed to hang on.
“From the time I joined the team, we knew this is what we were aiming to do – riding for general classification. We approached it like any other race, with no pressure and I think that’s the best way to do it.
“The team did a fantastic job from the very beginning. They know me, they know how I ride and I want to thank them for everything they’ve done the past few weeks.”
Polka Dots for Barguil:
“My dream was to win a stage of the Tour de France. Two stage wins and the polka dot jersey, that’s beyond my dreams. It’s been an exceptional Tour. Everything’s crazy: riding on the Champs-Elysées with the polka dot jersey, being on the podium in front of the Arc de Triomphe… Soon I’ll focus on other goals.”
After the podium ceremony Barguil said: “It’s still so hard to believe what we have achieved. It’s been such an amazing Tour de France and I’ve loved every minute of it. The climbs were really tough and it was such a battle to get this jersey. I will enjoy this victory for the rest of my life, it’s a dream come true.”
Michael Matthews Takes Green Jersey:
“It’s been a rollercoaster with a lot of highs and lows. The second week was when mine and Warren’s dreams started to come true. We more or less took it in turns with the wins and continued the momentum together, along with the rest of the team. To bring these beautiful jerseys to Paris is really something special and a moment I will remember forever.”
2017 Tour de France Stage 21 Results:
- Dylan Groenewegen (Netherlands / LottoNL-Jumbo) 2:25:39″
- Andre Greipel (Germany / Lotto-Soudal) ST
- Edvald Boasson Hagen (Norway / Team Dimension Data)
- Nacer Bouhanni (France / Cofidis, Solutions Credits)
- Alexander Kristoff (Norway / Katusha-Alpecin)
- Borut Bozic (Slovenia / Bahrain-Merida)
- Davide Cimolai (Italy / FDJ)
- Pierre-Luc Perichon (France / Fortuneo-Oscaro)
- Ruediger Selig (Germany / BORA-hansgrohe)
- Daniele Bennati (Italy / Movistar Team)
2017 Tour de France Final General Classification:
- Chris Froome (Team Sky) 86H 20′ 55”
- Rigoberto Uran (Cannondale-Drapac) @ 54″
- Romain Bardet (Ag2r – La Mondiale) @ 2’20”
- Mikel Landa (Team Sky) @ 2’21”
- Fabio Aru (Astana) @ 3’05”
- Daniel Martin (Quick-Step Floors) @ 4’42”
- Simon Yates (Orica-Scott) @ 06′ 14”
- Louis Meintjes (UAE Team Emirates) @ 08′ 20”
- Alberto Contador (Trek – Segafredo) @ 08′ 49”
- Warren Barguil (Team Sunweb) @ 09′ 25”
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