Tour de France 2022 stage 21 LIVE: Jonas Vingegaard celebrates title on Champs-Elysees after Jasper Philipsen wins sprint finish
Jonas Vingegaard won his first Tour de France while Jasper Philipsen prevailed in a sprint finish to win Stage 21 on the Champs-Elysees
Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark won his first Tour de France title on Sunday as Jasper Philipsen claimed Stage 21, his second of the race, to conclude the 109th edition of the race.
The Dane came out on top of a thrilling three-week duel, edging two-time defending champion Tadej Pogacar, who played one last card on the Champs-Elysees, leading out the peloton before the sprint finish when Philipsen, of Alpecin-Deceuninck, pipped Dylan Groenewegen and Alexander Kristoff to the iconic sprint finish. The 25-year-old Vingegaard became the first Danish rider to win cycling’s biggest race since Bjarne Riis in 1996. He finished 3 minutes, 34 seconds ahead of second-place Pogacar. Vingegaard, who was runner-up to Pogacar last year, built his success in the mountains.
Vingegaard crossed the line arm-in-arm with his Jumbo-Visma team-mates to confirm the victory he effectively sealed in Saturday’s time trial. Britain’s Geraint Thomas, of Ineos, took a memorable third place, his third podium finish in his Tour de France career.
The day started with Lorena Wiebes putting on the first yellow jersey of the inaugural Tour de France Femmes, beating Marianne Vos in a sprint finish to conclude a historic opening stage on the Champs-Elysees in Paris. Wiebes said: “I’m really happy that I was finally able to race on the Champs-Elysees. As expected it was a hard race. It feels really special to ride here in Paris and even more special to wear the yellow jersey. I was fine with the pressure because I directly put the most pressure on myself.”
Tour de France 2022: Stage 21
Bradley Wiggins on Eurosport: “It’s a procession until the Champs-Élysées, it’s hard for the riders, the mood has changed from a festive one to concentration.
“It’s difficult to go from 20kmph to 50-60kmph. Vingegaard, the new superstar of cycling.
“Him and Pogacar, Jumbo-Visma are the most complete team in the world. Even the guys who didn’t make the Tour. UAE have to rebuild their team this winter.
“Quite boring sitting here, When we get to the Champs-Élysées, it’ll be a spectacle. Oh, there’s Rigoberto Uran having a wee, that’s the highlight at the moment.”
Tour de France 2022: Stage 21
We can expect the racing to kick off with about 80km to go, will anybody go early?
We have 100km to go and Luke Rowe and Bauke Mollema enjoying their places at the front of the pack.
Tour de France 2022: Stage 21
The riders make their way through the Foret Domaniale de Meudon.
Beautiful scenes and a very jovial mood at the front of the peloton.
To underline the relaxed nature of this pace, Luke Rowe is able to hop off and apply some sunscreen to his legs.
Tour de France 2022: Stage 21
It’s a gentle start, as you might expect as we close in on the final 100km of this stage.
Phillippe Gilbert is at the front of the procession alongside Van Aert.
It’s a gorgeous day on the streets of Paris, the fans are out to welcome the riders at every corner.
Tour de France 2022: Stage 21
Tour de France 2022: Stage 21
Michael Woods tested positive for Covid this morning. A brutal blow after coming this far.
Vingegaard on Van Aert: “Wout has been the strongest rider in this race, to have him by my side has been incredible.”
Van Aert: “We destroyed everybody on the two hardested stages, I’ll remember that forever. Our team spirit, we enjoyed every day, every minute. It was a lot of stress. It was special to experience.”
Tour de France 2022: Stage 21
Bit of fun and games between Van Aert and Pogacar, with Vingegaard close by.
The riders attack each other with the peloton way behind.
All three in good spirits.
Tour de France 2022: Stage 21
Peter Sagan has already swapped out his bike, a late change in pursuit of a Tour-defining win?
Here are some of the contenders for the win today:
- Fabio Jakobsen (QuickStep-AlphaVinyl)
- Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma)
- Caleb Ewan (Lotto Soudal)
- Mads Pedersen (Trek-Segafredo)
- Dylan Groenewegen (Team BikeExchange-Jayco)
- Danny Van Poppel (Bora-Hansgrohe)
- Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck)
- Alberto Dainese (Team DSM)
Tour de France 2022: Jasper Philipsen on Stage 21
We’re moments away from the neutralised start...
Jasper Philipsen: “I think everybody survived well, we all made it to Paris. We can make it a nice royal sprint.
“It has to be a sprint, we can’t [go for a long one], the tourist finish to celebrate the end of the tour.”
Tour de France 2022: Could traditional final stage truce for Yellow Jersey change in future?
Eurosport pundit Adam Blythe: “It’s a gentleman’s agreement, we might see it change.
“I still think if he [Pogacar] was a second behind, he might have a little play?
“I’m all for it. But yes, it’s a sprinter’s day.”
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