Cavendish seeks unique hat-trick on Champs Elysees

Stage 21: Creteil – Paris Champs Elysees, 160 kms

The survivors of this year’s Tour de France will enjoy a celebratory procession from the town of Creteil before stepping on the gas for the traditional finish on the Champs Elysees where Mark Cavendish is bidding to achieve a unique hat-trick.

The Manx Missile has won this stage for the last two years and few would bet against him picking up another stage win in Paris. The big difference this time round is that he will be wearing the green jersey of leader of the points classification.

The Tour will remember two-time Tour winner Laurent Fignon at the start in Creteil. It has been a tradition since 1975 to complete the final stage with a finish on the Champs Elysees and Fignon, who held a licence with the local club in Creteil, famously lost the race lead and the Tour to Greg Lemond by a mere eight seconds in 1989 on the only occasion that the final stage was run as a time trial.

This stage is one of the most prestigious in the Tour and it is notoriously difficult to escape on the finishing circuit. It could happen but even then it is difficult to see Cavendish not being part of the decisive move.

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