Tour de France 2011 Stage 21: Cav wins fifth stage and green, Evans wears yellow in Paris

On a day which started as a celebratory, champagne-kissed procession, Mark Cavendish darted out of the pack on the Champs-Élysees cobbles to win his fifth stage of the 2011 Tour de France and consolidate his green jersey. Cadel Evans finished safely in the peloton to win his and Australia’s first Tour.

The last day of the 2011 Tour de France began with a slow, light-hearted parade from the town of Creteil to the outskirts of Paris. It was a time of photo opportunities, the customary champagne for Evans and smiles among the riders. Once the race entered Paris, attacks began on this one last chance to achieve victory in this edition of the Tour. Finally, a six man break got away on the first of eight laps up and down the Champs-Élysees and stayed away until 2 kilometres to go. At that point it was a mere formality for the precision-drilled HTC to deliver the fastest sprinter on the planet to his third consecutive Paris win.

The Schleck brothers filled out the final podium with Evans. Sammy Sanchez won the polka dot jersey and Pierre Rolland took the white jersey for best young rider. Jeremy Roy of the gun-slinging FDJ squad was deservedly awarded the most aggressive prize. Ryder Hesjedal’s team, Garmin-Cervelo, won the team competition and he finished 18th overall.