Jasper Philipsen untouchable on the Champs-Elysées? The 21st stage in questions

Last rides for the Tour de France riders, Sunday 23 July, and a day of celebrations for Jonas Vingegaard and Jumbo-Visma. It is in Paris that the Dane will celebrate another success on the Grande Boucle, while the sprinters will fight for victory on the legendary avenue des Champs-Elysées, at the end of a stage between Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines and the capital.

What is the profile?

Easy, easy and the Champs-Elysées to finish the Tour. Short stage between Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines and Paris, with 115.1km (including eight laps of the Parisian circuit) to go before crossing the finish line for the last time in this 2023 edition. Only one difficulty on the occasion of this 21st stage, the Pavé des Gardes coast (1.3km at 6.5%), before an intermediate sprint at kilometer 75 ,1 on the Champs-Elysées.

After passing through Elancourt, Montigny-le-Bretonneux, Guyancourt, Versailles and Meudon, the group will enter Paris via the quays of Issy before making loops around the main Parisian avenue.

Who are the favourites?

Beaten on Thursday and Friday on stages that had something to please them, the sprinters should not miss out on victory this time around. In a stage traditionally reserved for them, the sprinters should be able to count on their teammates to control the few escape attempts on the Champs-Elysées without too much concern.

In 2023, whoever says a massive sprint says Jasper Philipsen. The Belgian of training Alpecin-Deceuninck only lost once in a massive final, in Limoges, to Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek). His team seems to be in the best position to offer him one last chance, especially since the green jersey has been showing off by regulating the peloton’s sprint during the last two flat stages.

Behind him will be the usual contenders, starting with Mads Pedersen (Lidl-Trek) or Dylan Groenewegen (Team Jayco Alula). Bryan Coquard (Cofidis) and Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty) can also dream of a prestigious success.

What are the hours?

16:05: start of the broadcast on France 2 e france.tv
4.30pm: fictitious departure from Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines
4.40pm: real start
7.28pm: Expected arrival (at an average of 41km/h) at Paris Champs-Elysées