Stage 21 of the 2024 Tour de France: Pogačar Claims Third Tour Title with Stunning Victory in Nice

The 2024 Tour de France came to an exciting conclusion on Sunday with the final stage from Monaco to Nice, where Tadej Pogačar of UAE Team Emirates secured his third overall victory in the prestigious race. The balmy afternoon on the Côte d’Azur provided the perfect backdrop for Pogačar to shine, as he dominated the Individual Time Trial (ITT) to clinch the stage win by a significant 1’03” margin over Jonas Vingegaard of Visma-Lease a Bike. This victory marked Pogačar’s sixth stage win of the 2024 Tour and his third overall triumph in the race.

In addition to his impressive performance in the ITT, Pogačar also solidified his lead in the General Classification (GC), finishing the Tour 6’17” ahead of his closest rival. Remco Evenepoel of Soudal-Quick Step, who finished the final stage in third place, also secured a spot on the podium, 9’18” behind Pogačar. The top five in the GC was rounded out by Joao Almeida and Mikel Landa, both from UAE Team Emirates and Soudal-Quick Step, respectively.

Mark Cavendish, the veteran British rider with a record 35 stage victories in the Tour de France, bid farewell to the race in style by completing his 15th participation and finishing his final stage alongside his teammates. Another notable achievement came from Biniam Girmay of Intermarché-Wanty, who became the first African rider to win a ranking in the Tour de France by claiming the green jersey.

Lenny Martinez of Groupama-FDJ set an impressive marker in the ITT with a strong performance, showcasing his potential in future editions of the race. Romain Bardet, the French hero who wore the Yellow Jersey on Stage 2, received overwhelming support from fans on his last day of the Tour before retirement.

Richard Carapaz of EF Education-EasyPost ended the Tour on a high note, securing a victory in the mountains and becoming the first Ecuadorian rider to win a Tour de France standing. Remco Evenepoel also made history for Belgium by finishing as the best young rider and securing a podium spot in the overall standings.

The 2024 Tour de France witnessed a historic dominance from Pogačar, Vingegaard, and Evenepoel, who consistently featured in the top positions throughout the race. Pogačar’s achievement of winning both the Giro and the Tour in the same season revived a feat that had not been accomplished in decades, cementing his status as one of the sport’s legends.

In conclusion, the 2024 Tour de France showcased an exciting mix of talent from around the world, with riders from various nations making their mark on the prestigious race. The Tour not only celebrated the achievements of established legends like Pogačar and Cavendish but also welcomed new stars like Girmay and Martinez, highlighting the global appeal and competitive spirit of cycling at its finest.