The Tour – live reports from behind the scenes
Join journalist as she takes us on the toughest cycling race in the world, speaking to those that make it happen – from stars of the show to the tireless team of organisers who allow those stars to shine
176
Week 4
The final stage of the Tour starts out as ceremonial, with riders toasting and posing for photos as they ride along but once they hit the Champs-Elysees it’s back on, as concludes her reports from the Tour for 2021
Read Sophie's Dispatch
The route
Riders
450
Support staff members
3,484
Total number of km on the route this year (21 stages)
29
Mountain passes or climbs or hills and finishes at altitude
9
Flat stages
“My perseverance is apparent. Even though I’m not at the front fighting it out, I can see the bigger picture. This is a stepping stone to get back to my former level”
WHO WILL WIN THIS YEAR'S TOUR DE FRANCE?
showed a humility rare among champions when, after winning three stages and a second consecutive Tour title, he was asked to share his favourite moment of the race, revealing it was seeing Directeur Sportif back in the team car on Saturday, following his recent cancer treatment. “He’s taught me a lot,” said Pogacar. “More about life than cycling.”
highlight of the week
Lowlight of the week
After such an incredible comeback Tour, it felt crushingly disappointing - from a British point of view - that was beaten by on Champs-Elysee and unable to make that stage record his own.
Picture Gallery
quote of the week
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ŠKODA AUTO is supporting the Tour de France this year for the 17th time in a row as the official main partner. The company is providing up to 250 vehicles for the organisation and race management of the cycling event, including the command vehicle ('Red Car') for Christian Prudhomme.
Week 4
Credit: A.S.O. Charly Lopez
Credit: A.S.O. Aurelien Vialatte
Credit: A.S.O. Charly Lopez
The Tour de France never fails to deliver stunning shots. We will post the best images from behind the scenes here every week
The Tour de France never fails to deliver stunning shots. We will post the best images from behind the scenes here every week
3
Hilly stages
8
Mountain stages
4
Summit finishes
1
Time trial (Stage 20)
Credit: A.S.O. Charly Lopez
Credit: A.S.O. Charly Lopez
Credit: A.S.O. Pauline Ballet
Credit: A.S.O. Pauline Ballet
Sophie Smith
Tadej Pogacar
Tadej Pogacar
– Chris Froome
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: A.S.O. Pauline Ballet
Credit: A.S.O. Aurelien Vialatte
Credit: A.S.O. Pauline Ballet
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: A.S.O. Pauline Ballet
Credit: A.S.O. Pauline Ballet
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Imagrs
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Sophie Smith
Nic Dlamini
Nic Dlamini
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: A.S.O. Aurelien Vialatte
Credit: A.S.O. Pauline Ballet
Credit: A.S.O. Pauline Ballet
Credit: A.S.O. Aurelien Vialatte
Credit: A.S.O. Charly Lopez
Credit: A.S.O. Pauline Ballet
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: A.S.O. Aurelien Vialatte
Credit: A.S.O. Pauline Ballet
Credit: A.S.O. Pauline Ballet
Credit: A.S.O. Aurelien Vialatte
Credit: A.S.O. Charly Lopez
Credit: A.S.O. Pauline Ballet
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: A.S.O. Aurelien Vialatte
Credit: A.S.O. Pauline Ballet
Credit: A.S.O. Pauline Ballet
Credit: A.S.O. Aurelien Vialatte
Credit: A.S.O. Charly Lopez
Credit: A.S.O. Pauline Ballet
Allan Peiper
Michael Matthews
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: A.S.O. Aurelien Vialatte
Credit: A.S.O. Aurelien Vialatte
Credit: A.S.O. Aurelien Vialatte
Credit: A.S.O. Pauline Ballet
Credit: A.S.O. Charly Lopez
Credit: A.S.O. Pauline Ballet
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: A.S.O. Aurelien Vialatte
Credit: A.S.O. Aurelien Vialatte
Credit: A.S.O. Aurelien Vialatte
Credit: A.S.O. Pauline Ballet
Credit: A.S.O. Charly Lopez
Credit: A.S.O. Pauline Ballet
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: A.S.O. Aurelien Vialatte
Credit: A.S.O. Aurelien Vialatte
Credit: A.S.O. Aurelien Vialatte
Credit: A.S.O. Pauline Ballet
Credit: A.S.O. Charly Lopez
Credit: A.S.O. Pauline Ballet
Sophie Smith
Sophie Smith
Michael Matthews
Mark Cavendish
Wout van Aert
Allan Peiper
Allan Peiper
Cavendish
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credi: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
Credit: Goding Images
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