Tour de France 2013: stage 21 – in pictures

The peloton starts in front of the Palace of Versailles before the run-in to Paris Photograph: Benoit Tessier/Reuters

It's a photo that's repeated on the start line of every single stage – all the jerseys line up on the start line for the photographers. This stage, however, these are the final winners. Apart from white jersey wearer Andrew Talansky (Nairo Quintana's the winner of that competition, but as a rider can't wear two jerseys …) Photograph: Jeff Pachoud/AFP/Getty Images

Anyone who's seen Independence Day knows that a cigar is a victory dance. In this case, however, it's incredibly doubtful that Chris Froome will actually smoke it. Joaquim Rodríguez? Well, his nickname is Purito – you guessed it, 'cigar' in Spanish Photograph: Laurent Cipriani/AP

Ah, the last-day japes. Peter Sagan signs on with a green afro, having dyed his beard green. Unless some humourless blazer from the UCI docks him about 100 points for the prank, he's got the green jersey competition in the bag Photograph: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images

Yup, see, there he goes. Whether Quintana's actually holding a lighter is somewhat unlikely, however Photograph: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images

Froome toasts his victory with the traditional 'champagne on the bike shot'. The staff get the short end, though. They only get a plastic glass Photograph: Laurent Cipriani/AP

A day of celebration is more one of regret for Alberto Contador Photograph: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images

The Eiffel Tower looms into view – bathed in evening sunlight for the first time in the Tour de France's history Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP

The Sky train passes the Louvre. Photograph: Laurent Cipriani/AP

Chris Froome could have a couple of albums full snaps from his visit to Paris. Here he is in front of the Arc de Triomphe – the first time the race has been routed around it. Photograph: Jean- Paul Pelissier/Reuters

The peloton receives a visit from the Patrouille De France at sunset Photograph: Yoan Valat/EPA

The sun sets on the Arc De Triomphe as the peloton speeds towards the conclusion. It's a wonder ASO haven't done this before. Photograph: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

Steve Morabito chases his way back to the peloton down the Champs Elysees. Not a bad metaphor for BMC's tour – Morabito is the team's highest ranked rider ahead of team leaders Cadel Evans and Tejay Van Garderen in 35th place. Photograph: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

Kittel pips Cavendish on the line. The Manxman simply wasn't as fast as Argos-Shimano's fastman. Visibly swerving from side to side, Cavendish's run of wins on the Champs Elysee is finally broken. A great victory for Marcel Kittel. Photograph: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images

Because of the late running of the stage, there's no time for a victory lap. As a result Team Sky elected to lose 40 seconds off Chris Froome's 5 minute lead to celebrate the win as a team. It's a testament to Chris Froome's achievement that they were able to sacrifice that amount of time. Photograph: Ian Langsdon/EPA

Chris Froome poses for the cameras with his teammates on the finish line. Photograph: Joel Saget/AFP/Getty Images

Froome stands atop the podium on the Champs Elysees. In his speech, he dedicated the win to his mother who passed away in 2008, and assured the public that 'this is one yellow jersey that will stand the test of time'. Photograph: Nicolas Bouvy/EPA