Tour de France 2026 Stage 21: Van der Poel defeats Pogačar in epic Paris finale as the Tour comes to a close
The 2026 Tour de France concluded with a spectacular finish on the streets of Paris as Mathieu van der Poel edged out Tadej Pogačar after an unforgettable duel over the Montmartre climbs and onto the Champs-Élysées. With the yellow jersey already secured, Pogačar still refused to settle for a ceremonial ride into Paris, attacking once again and producing one final battle that perfectly summed up this year’s race.
We break down the tactical showdown between two of the sport’s biggest stars, how Van der Poel held his nerve to claim one of the most prestigious stage victories in cycling.
We also reflect on the wider story of the 2026 Tour de France as Pogačar secured a fifth overall title, putting together another remarkable three-week performance that combined outright dominance with moments of selfless teamwork, including his support of teammate Isaac Del Toro in the fight for the final podium. From breakout stars and unforgettable stages to the biggest talking points of the race, we look back on everything that made this Tour so memorable.
And with the men’s race now complete, we take a look ahead to Tour de France Femmes. We preview the riders and stages to watch, the key storylines, and what you can expect from our daily coverage over the coming week.
🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music
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