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☿ Cycling — Sun, 26 Jul 2026

Alpecin-Deceuninck turned the final stage into a private celebration, with Van der Poel leading Philipsen to the line on the Champs-Élysées in a display of team cohesion that would have made the old Soviet collective squads nod in recognition — Pedersen's bronze was the closest thing to resistance the peloton could muster. The same time for all three tells you this was a sprint decided in the final meters, not a rout, but Van der Poel's presence at the front was never truly in doubt once Alpecin committed their train. There is something fitting about a rider of Van der Poel's lineage — grandson of Poulidor, that eternal bridesmaid — closing a Tour on the most theatrical stage cycling owns. The GC was already settled, of course, so this was theatre with a very sharp edge, and the yellow jersey will have watched from the peloton wearing the quiet satisfaction of a man who has already won the war.

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🏁 TOUR DE FRANCE — Stage 21
🥇 VAN DER POEL Mathieu (APC) (1:58:49)
🥈 PHILIPSEN Jasper (APC)
🥉 PEDERSEN Mads (LTK)

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