After the incredible hilly time trial, track between Lure and La Planche des Belles Filles, Saturday, having carried Tadej Pogacar to the top of the general classification, change of scenery, this Sunday, with a short stage (the shortest of the editing) devoid of difficulty.
The peloton will live, this Sunday, the last stage of this Tour which will remain in the annals.
A final episode between Mantes-la-Jolie and Paris (122 km) to follow.
For Paris
This year, more than ever, Paris has, throughout the race, seemed far away.
The peloton who lived with the anguish of positive tests for Covid-19 focused on moving forward, step after step, without letting their gaze and ambition escape.
For him, as for the Tour, reaching Paris is a victory.
The parade on the Champs-Elysées, “the most beautiful avenue in the world”, has the favor of viewers who systematically make it one, if not the best audience of the edition.
The finish will be judged at the 8th passage on the line.
For the sprint
Sprinters know the day is right for them.
They will be able to give it to their heart's content.
Among the arrows, Peter Sagan has not yet raised his arms.
Unlike Alexander Kristoff, Caleb Ewan, Sam Bennett (the green jersey) and Wout Van Aert.
There is one last chance for the proud Slovak who, so far, has struggled a lot without success.
For the panache of a loner
Eddy Seigneur (1994) and Alexandre Vinokourov (2005) are the last to foil the sprinters' plans by managing to win solo on the Champs-Elysées.
Examples to follow ...
For the last episode of a stunning Tour
This Tour which will remain in the annals like the September Tour (never since 1903 the event had arrived so late in Paris), throughout its layout, offered multiple twists in an epilogue which recalled the duel having opposed Greg LeMond to Laurent Fignon (the American winning by 8 seconds on the Champs-Elysées).
He has one step left.
For Tadej Pogacar
The Slovenian will live his day of glory this Sunday.
After a 3rd place in the Vuelta 2019, the leader of the UAE Team Emirates climbs on the second podium of a grand tour.
During the parade, he will be able to toast a glass of champagne in his hand, to the delight of the photographers.
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