One last thing before I go. Here is a snippet from a post-race interview with Pogačar today.

Your rivalry with Remco and Jonas makes cycling amazing … “Yeah, I think in the last two years we’ve been hearing that this is the best era of cycling, the best competition ever. If I would not be competing myself, I would think it myself [and] I could also say it’s the best cycling era ever, at least for the GC. This kind of competition with Remco, Jonas and Primož, it’s just incredible … I think we can all enjoy this moment of cycling. It’s beautiful in my opinion.”

Also, here’s a pic of the top three on the GC at the end of the Tour de France 2024:

That’s all from me today … thank you so much for all your emails and pictures. It’s been great hearing what you thought of the Tour de France 2024 and I’ve enjoyed hearing where you have been following the blog from. It’s been a pleasure covering stages of the Tour de France for you.

My colleagues will update with a race report shortly. I’ll leave you with this fun video. It looks like the riders (fans, family and friends) are having a great time in Nice …

Mark Cavendish has been presented with a special jersey to celebrate his record 35th stage win at the Tour de France.

On the podium:

Today’s stage winner, Tadej Pogačar, speaks: “I’m super happy. I cannot describe how happy I am after two hard years in the Tour de France … This year everything [went] to perfection. I’m on top of the world. It’s incredible.”

“I think this was the first Grand Tour where I was totally confident everday. Even in the Giro, I remember I had one bad day but I won’t tell you which one. This year, the Tour de France was amazing. I was enjoying it from day one until today. I had such a great support behind me. I just couldn’t let anyone down so I was enjoying [it] for them as well.”

“I felt super good over the top of the first climb and then in my head I had Urška’s [Žigart] sentence that she hates me for doing this road all the time in training. We did it so many times this year, so I was like I will not waste it today. I have it under control.”

What does winning both the Giro and Tour de France in the same year mean to you? “Yeah, it’s incredible. I would never have about this. Maybe for some people [they’d] think that Giro was the safety net if I didn’t succeed in the Tour de France, and for sure it would be if I did not succeed at the Tour de France. If I won the Giro only, that would already be an incredible year but to win the Tour de France is another level, and doing both together is another level above that level. So, I’m super happy and really proud that we did it.”

What’s next? “Van der Poel looks really good in the world champion’s jersey but I want to take it from him this year but we will see. I want one time to have a rainbow jersey on my back but I still have time for that.”

Vingegaard is pouring it all out, all the way to the line. He finishes and the clock stops at 46min 27secs – 11sec faster than Evenepoel.

Evenepoel crosses the finish line with a time of 46min 38sec – the new fastest time … for now.

Unbelievable – Pogačar took out so much time on Vingegaard with that descent. He’s gone through the third checkpoint with an advantage of 1min 4sec on his Visma-Lease a Bike rival.

There we go … Gee has been beaten already. Matteo Jorgenson finishes with a time of 47min 32sec at 42.5 km/h – that’s 23sec faster than Gee.

Derek Gee is in the hot seat for now. With a time of 47min 55sec, recorded at 42.2 km/h, the Canadian was 18sec faster than Tejada.

But Evenepoel, Vingegaard and Pogačar are on their way!

It’s worth remembering that these roads are Pogačar’s training roads, so he knows them very well.

Pogačar is descending too now and there’s about 13km to go. The ITV4 commentators think he’s been having issues with his radio and earpiece on this ITT.

Pogačar is punching uphill and through the second checkpoint. The Slovenian rider has increased his advantage on Vingegaard from 7sec to 24sec. Wow. He is a man on a mission. The advantage to Evenepoel is 51sec for Pogačar.

Evenepoel is on the technical descent with Vingegaard in pursuit.

Evenepoel has crossed through the second checkpoint 46sec faster than Gee.

The second checkpoint is coming up for Evenepoel. The fastest time so far today at this checkpoint belongs to Gee with a time of 30min 17sec.

Pogačar has gone 7sec faster than Vingegaard at the first checkpoint and 26sec faster than Evenepoel.

Vingegaard has gone through the first checkpoint. He was 19sec faster than Evenepoel. Pogačar has accelerated.

Ciccone is off the road bike and on to a TT bike. Derek Gee is flying and is up on the time Martinez set earlier. Pogačar is closing in on Vingegaard but the advantage is still to the Danish rider at the moment.

Simon Yates has just gone through the second check point. Felix Gall (Decathlon-AG2R La Mondiale) has just had a bike change and is off again on his time trial bike.

ITV4 are saying that at the moment Vingegaard is going faster than Evenepoel and Pogačar.

Evenepoel is climbing up La Turbie. The ITV4 commentators are saying that the descent afterwards is fast and has some blind corners. For a rider such as Pogačar who knows these roads well, it’s such a benefit to know the descents in detail already.

Let me squeeze in a couple of reader highlights from this year’s tour quickly.

Peter says:

For me personally, the highlights for this year are Bardet getting a day in the yellow jersey, Bernard kissing his wife during the time trial, and the Campenaerts stage win. It’s been a pretty good year for the tour overall.”

James writes:

Victor Campanaert’s stage win and interview. Fantastic that he gambled on the sprint (he isn’t known for a sprint and Kwaitkowski is fast) and won with aplomb. And his interview was emotional without drifting into buttock clenching or bitterness.

A rider not blessed with exceptional talent, who compensates with hard work, intellectual curiousity about training, and an ability to suffer that’s unusual even for a cyclist.

Plus, his YouTube channel is brilliant. The man makes videos on cleaning your bike and waxing your chain enjoyable and amusing. He’s wonderfully eccentric.

The day after his stage win, guess who was hammering off the front trying to force a breakaway as soon as the flag dropped? The man was insatiable. Brilliant stuff.”

Pogačar rolls down the ramp and the game is on!

Vingegaard has attacked the start of his ITT and he’s off too now.

Landa is out on the course and Evenepoel is off too now! The time trial specialist is not messing around and has got off to a smooth and speedy start.

Matteo Jorgenson is down in the fourth minute of his ITT. It looks as if he slid out on a corner. He’s back up and on his bike.

Caroline has sent in a virtual postcard. She’s in Nice seeing all the action I’m reporting on:

Currently watching the TT in Nice, just as the course turns back on itself on the Promenade des Anglais, about 2.2k before the finish.

The reception and support for the riders is phenomenal and epitomises just what an amazing job Nice has done to welcome the final stages. Paris will have a serious challenge to match this next year when the race returns to the French capital.”

According to the offical Tour de France race centre, Mark Cavendish is this Tour’s lanterne rouge. He has been overtaken in the General Classification by his teammate Davide Ballerini by 25sec, so Cavendish will finish in last position in his last Tour de France, at which he has broken the all-time record for most stage victories.

Van Aert has just been interviewed and was asked what it has been like being a teammate to Vingegaard. He said it has been “more challenging than other years” but calls the Danish rider a “true champion”.

Van Aert suggests that Vingegaard has had some difficult moments and “doubts”, but that he has tried to “motivate” his teammate and “give him some belief”. Although Vingegaard has had some difficulties in this Tour, coming so soon after a serious crash on stage four of the Itzulia Basque Country in April, Van Aert says Vingegaard has “suprised” him with his performance.

At this stage 120 riders have started stage 12, 95 riders have arrived and 21 are left to start. While we wait for the top GC contenders, I’d be interested to hear about what your Tour de France 2024 highlights have been. Send me an email with thoughts.

Enjoy some more images of the riders so far who’ve taken on the ITT today:

Bardet has been warming up with a special fan by his side, his son Angus.

Chris has got in touch to say let’s not forget about Geraint Thomas:

There will be much focus on Cav today and all that he has achieved in the Tour, and rightly so, but it is also likely to be G’s last stage in the race as well. Both men are absolute legends of British men’s cycling and have given many happy memories to cycling fans over the last two decades.

I was fortunate to be in London for the Prologue and Grand Depart when the Tour started on our shores in 2007. Both Cav and G made their Tour debuts that year. G was the youngest rider in the race and the first Welshman since 1967 – he finished 140/141, before reaching the pinnacle of the race with yellow in 2018.

Cav went on to DNF in his first edition, but the following year won his first four of 35 record-breaking stages. Today’s unusual final time trial stage means that both riders begin and end their Tour careers with a race against the clock. Chapeau, gentlemen, and thank you!”

Van Aert is approaching the first check point and seems to be taking it easy. He’s 3min 35sec down.

Geraint Thomas is on the course too.

Guy has been in touch and says:

I know this will be about the podium and the lead jerseys Amy, and rightly so with a peerless ride from Pogačar for the ages to do the double.

But I’m here for the emotional end of Mark Cavendish’s career. Since number 35, he’s been mostly struggling to be in contention but after the release of getting the record, who can blame him? To me, he’s one of the greatest to ride a bike.

The Jimmy Anderson of sprinters, still going an era later than his original rivals. He’s earned to go on his own terms.”

Harold Tejada has taken Martinez’s spot in the hot seat. The Astana Qazaqstan rider crossed the line in a time of 48min 14sec.

Kross has emailed in to mention Ben Healy. Let’s not forget Healy – what an effort the guy has put in on numerous breakaways this Tour. He came ninth in the stage seven time trial too, and the route today is likely to suit him with its climbs.

Kross says:

Unlikely but should get top 10 I reckon … took it easy the last two stages.”

The Canadian Tour de France live blog followers are out in force today. Monty has got in touch to say hello and to share another timing for Derek Gee:

Derek starts at 9:29 pacific summer time, on the west coast of Canada. Another Canadian TDF follower!

Also, I received this from Lyda:

Yes, Canadians follow your excellent coverage! I live in Yellowknife, Canada’s Northwest Territories and my only link into the race is through the Guardian. So I’m up at 5am every morning for three weeks, thankful for our early daylight in the north!”

That is some dedication, chapeau Lyda.

Wout van Aert is off!

Garcia Pierna finishes, 1min 32sec behind Martinez’s time.

Here are some images from stage 21 so far today:

Apologies to Michael, who points out that I missed his fellow Canadian Derek Gee in the selection of timings of riders to watch (see 3.09pm BST).

Michael says:

He [Gee] has a good chance of a top 10 finish, a first for a Canadian, deserves the credit … We in Canada do follow the ‘Toure’ avidly and are proud of our participation.

Many thanks for your reports, enjoy your comments.”

By crossing the finish line of the final stage of the Tour de France 2024, Biniam Girmay has become the first black African rider to win a ranking in the Tour in his green jersey.

On the TV coverage, Girmay told journalists in a post-stage interview that he’s “really grateful” and has “never been so happy in my life”. He notes that his daughter is at the finish. His nearby teammates gave him a big hug after he crossed the finish line. Lovely to see.

Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) has finished the ITT with a time that is 1min 40sec behind the current best time (Lenny Martinez, 48min 24sec).

Also, the Belgian national TT champ, Tim Wellens is on the course.

In the aim of fairness, here’s a differing view on Cavendish, courtesy of James in the Netherlands:

Am I alone in not really going to miss him?

I don’t think even Mark himself would claim to be a universally likable figure, would he?

He showed some breathtaking rudeness towards journalists over the years. Asked a question he didn’t like and he’d insult the asker, or grab their recording device or pressure the race organiaers to remove and ban the journalist from media area …

Sure, he wears his heart on his sleeve, he’s British, he tells it how he sees it etc. But there has been plenty of behaviour that some of us don’t look back on with much pride or nostalgia.”

Lenny Martinez (Groupama-FDJ) is in leading, AKA in the hot seat, with a time of 48min 24sec.

Girmay is approaching the finish line.

A couple of you have emailed in to share the start times for the ITT (see question at 2.31pm BST). Thank you. Here is the start time for a few of the ones of interest (sorry, time is of essence so can’t list them all now) :

• Wout Van Aert: 4.03pm BST/ 5.03pm CET

• Geraint Thomas: 4.23pm BST/ 5.23pm CET

• Romain Bardet: 4.47pm BST/ 5.47pm CET

• Richard Carapaz: 5.17pm BST/ 6.17pm CET

• Simon Yates: 5.23pm BST/ 6.23pm CET

• Giulio Ciccone: 5.27pm BST/ 6.27pm CET

• Derek Gee: 5.29pm BST/ 6.29pm CET

• Matteo Jorgenson: 5.31pm BST/ 6.31pm CET

• Carlos Rodriguez: 5.33pm BST/ 6.33pm CET

• Adam Yates: 5.35pm BST/ 6.35pm CET

• Mikel Landa: 5.37pm BST/ 6.37pm CET

• João Almeida: 5.39pm BST/ 6.39pm CET

• Remco Evenepoel: 5.41pm BST/ 6.41pm CET

• Jonas Vingegaard: 5.43pm BST/ 6.43pm CET

• Tadej Pogačar: 5.45pm BST/ 6.45pm CET

Mark Cavendish has just been interviewed and he said he had been trying to “absorb it all” as he rode the final stage. Cavendish says: “There was no pressure for me today, which is strange for the final stage of the Tour.”

Asked if this is his final race, Cavendish paused for a long time before he said, with some emotion: “Likely so.”

As Cavendish crossed the line, you could hear his team radio on the coverage, where they said: “Well done on the career. Nice one.”

Jon has emailed in from Nice where he and his family are following the blog. Hello! They have shared a picture too:

Here with the fam very close to the finish at Place Massina. The caravan is keeping us entertained with free merch from nostalgic French/racing brands. Can’t wait to see Cav come through very soon. Jon, Julie and Max.

The TV coverage was showing a smiley Cavendish being hugged by his children after he crossed the finish line. It must feel like an epic moment, among a history of many epic moments for the Manx Missile.

Meanwhile, Cees Bol (Astana Qazaqstan) has the new ‘best time’ with 52min 24sec.

Ballerini, the first rider to start the ITT, has crossed the finish line with a time of 53min 10sec. Cavendish is coming into his last 1km and he’s got the biggest grin as he rides past the cheering crowds.

Paul has an ask:

Could you please set out the start times in BST? I need to squeeze a bike ride, cooking a Sunday roast, and a period of profound personal growth around watching Cav, then the big guns. Thank you.”

That’s a lot to squeeze in, but also sounds like a great itinerary for a Sunday. I have a list of the order in which the riders will be starting but not timings, sadly. I can tell you that 34 riders have started the ITT now and there is another 107 to go.

Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty), in the green jersey, is off!

Here’s some facts you can throw into conversation later, courtesy of the official Tour de France website:

• For the first time in 111 editions, the Tour de France finishes away from Paris.

• For the 10th time, the very last stage is an ITT. The last time it happened was in 1989, with Greg LeMond edging Laurent Fignon right on the line.

Victor Campenaerts spoke to Europsport before today’s stage. It’s hard …its’s a long climb at the start,” he said of the route.

He laughed as he told the journalist that half of the GC lives in Monaco so will “know the downhill off by heart”.

Well, look at this. Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) has chosen a road bike over a TT version.

On Eurosport, the commentators are chatting about how long they think the time trial will take the top riders but they’re being cagey about their predictions.

Ben, who’s emailed in from Devon, though is happy to share his prediction. He’s going with:

1. 1. Pogačar

2. 2. Vingegaard +1min 10sec

3. 3. Evenepoel +1min 25sec

4. 4. Carapaz +1min 56sec

Matej Mohorič (Bahrain Victorious) has started the ITT. Here’s a video of the Slovenian national time-trial champion rolling down the ramp.

There’s quite a few emails coming in aboout Cavendish. Joe writes:

Usually these time trials are kind of dull until you get to the guys near the top of the GC. But with Cavendish going off second, this will be interesting right from the get go!”

Antony says:

Look at THAT smile on Mark’s face as he came down the start ramp. This guy loves and respects the tour and it returns the favour. He didn’t have to complete it after his record breaker, or after the last sprint stage but was there ever any doubt he wouldn’t get to the finish line in Par …Nice? Has there ever been a Sir Sir?”

Here’s a video of Cavendish prepping for the ITT with some techno music, courtesy of the Tour de France X account:

Bill has been in touch again – he’s a regular reader of the Tour de France blog and sends lovely emails. Here is his latest:

It’s been a dominant three weeks for Pogačar, and a well-deserved win. It hasn’t been a dull win: he’s done it with style, and panache shown by getting a stomp on in the final metres of mountain stages. The double is also a brilliantly significant achievement.

As I watch Cavendish roll down the ramp in Monaco on his way to Nice (an amazing city, one of my favourites), he’s all smiles and joy. Twenty miles for him to go, no thrilling heroics needed, however if he chills it enough, he might be able to pick up the lantern rouge.

I might even enjoy this time trial, I think Remco (can’t spell his surname without looking) will come first, Pogačar second.

There’s also a famous mountain bike downhill race near here, down the Cap d’Ail. Have a lovey afternoon, it has been a great three weeks.”

Mark Cavendish has rolled down the ramp and is off. He follows his Astana Qazaqstan teammate, Ballerini, who was the first rider to start the time trial today.

There’s big cheers for Cavendish as he gets this final stage underway.

Jimbo has emailed in asking me to name some of the top time-trialists who might grab this stage, but I think I agree with Rouleur’s take on stage 21, when they say “such a parcours [on stage 21] means this is not a time trial for the specialists”.

In the cycling magazine’s preview piece of the final stage. Stephen Puddicombe writes:

The benefits of a perfected time trial position will be mitigated, while climbing speed and descending technique will be crucial. As such, the times posted will likely be more a reflection of who is most fresh this deep into a Grand Tour rather than time trialling ability, so don’t put it past riders who usually dread time trials pulling off big surprises.”

Of course, Remco Evenepoel shouldn’t be overlooked, given that he won the this year’s stage seven time trial and is the current male ITT champion. It was flat but he’s also a good climber. Jonas Vingegaard might want to end the Tour on a high by going for the stage, but then there’s also the ever dominant Tadej Pogačar. As his teammate, Marc Soler said earlier in the Tour: “With Tadej, you never know.”

Rouleur also name João Almeida, Simon Yates and Geraint Thomas as possible contenders for the stage win. Personally, I would put my money on Pogačar but then it would be fun if one of the team’s without a win so far gets it.

Well done to Richard Carapaz! He’s been named the super-combative rider of the Tour de France 2024.

It’s just under 20 minutes now until the first rider, Davide Ballerini (Astana Qazaqstan), rolls out for the individual time trial of stage 21. I’m going to go make myself a cup of tea, but first here’s our first email of the day thanks to Cai in London:

I don’t think we can look past Tadej Pogačar for today – not only is he the best all-round rider in the peloton, but he’s not even looked close to an empty tank up to this point. Remco a distant second, for me.”

Stage 20 report: An utterly dominant Tadej Pogačar won the final mountain stage to the Col de la Couillole in the Alpes Maritimes, and edged ever closer to completing a rare double of the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France in the same season. Jeremy Whittle reports from the Col de la Couillole …