Jonas Vingegaard crowns the last stage for Jordi Meeus in the sprint for the second consecutive year

All that was needed was formalization. Four days after extinguishing all suspense, Jonas Vingegaard won the Tour de France for the second time in his career. The 21st and final stage was just a formality for the Danish rider, who crossed the finish line in Paris running alongside, behind the peloton, alongside his teammates. After a glass of champagne at the start of the stage, team leader Jumbo-Visma took the top step of the podium, leaving the race feeling crushed.

His closest opponent, Tadej Pogacar, finished this edition 7 minutes and 29 seconds behind him. The Slovenian, already winner in Cauterets-Cabasque and Markstein, was not satisfied with the victory of the day before. True to form, he didn’t want to sit around waiting for the end of this Tour de France. The Slovenian launched an offensive on the Champs-Elysées, 48 ​​kilometers from the finish. Followed by Nathan van Hooydonck, Jonas Vingegaard’s teammate at Jumbo-Visma, who played dead weight to slow him down, managed a number. The group, launched at full speed, had to struggle to bring him back to his senses, only catching him after 15 km of pursuit.

Meeus surprised

Many other runners also tried their luck. A small group of three escapees notably took up to 20 seconds to spare, before being caught 9km from the line. Since Alexandre Vinokourov’s surprise victory in 2005, the Champs-Elysées has been promised to sprinters. The 2023 edition was no exception to the rule.

If Jasper Philipsen was eagerly awaited, after his four successes in the first five bunch sprints of this edition, the Belgian was beaten by a fellow countryman. Jordi Meeus fell in the middle of the road to surprise everyone and snatch his first Tour de France victory in the photo finish.

Philipsen will console himself with a final podium finish wearing the green jersey, which he has worn continuously since his stage 4 win. The other distinctive jerseys go to the Italian Giulio Ciccone, best climber, and to Tadej Pogacar, best youngster for the fourth consecutive year. The Slovenian will be on the final podium, behind Jonas Vingegaard and ahead of teammate Adam Yates, third. Two French riders finish in the Top 10: David Gaudu (9th) and Guillaume Martin (10th).