PARIS (France): Slovenian Tadej Pogacar won the Tour de France on Sunday to grab the race leader’s yellow jersey.
The 21-year-old became the Tour’s youngest champion since 1904 as Ireland’s Sam Bennett won the 21st and final stage after the eight-lap dash around the iconic Champs-Elysees to clinch the green sprint points jersey.
He mounted the podium as the sun set behind the Arc de Triomphe to pick up the best climber’s jersey, the white top young rider’s prize and finally the Tour winner’s famous yellow jersey.
“I can’t find the words to thank everyone, but it’s been amazing this three weeks where the fans cheered me all the way,” said Pogacar.
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo stood alongside Slovenian President Borut Pahor while Pogacar unfurled his national flag and draped it over his shoulders.
Long-time race leader Primoz Roglic ended second while Australia’s Richie Porte came third.
Dressed in green, Bennett lifted his bike aloft after the race, which provided his second stage win.
“It was so hard but it was all worth it, I still can’t believe it,” said the big sprinter after edging seven-time winner Peter Sagan to the green jersey.
