It's been 35 years since last time that Tour de France concluded differently than with a bunch sprint in Paris. Back in 1989, it was a heartbreak for French fans, who saw Laurent Fignon lose the yellow jersey to Greg Lemond in a time trial. But with the Olympic Games set to take place just week after the Grande Boucle, it wasn't possible to have both events clash in one city.
As such, yellow jersey Tadej Pogacar would prefer the relatively relaxed Champs-Elysées 'victory parade' on the last day, rather than waiting all day for a late start and then racing a hard stage. With five minutes lead, it can be seen why. But he accepts things as they are.
"It’s going to be definitely different, but I don’t like it, because I will start so late, 17:45 in the afternoon," Pogacar says. "It’s going to be such a long day just for a time trial, and it’s a really hard one too. I think I would prefer a Champs-Elysees sprint. But," he adds diplomatically, "it’s something different, and I’m looking forward to it and experiencing how it is."
Even among the peloton, the opinions on this rather unusual finish vary. While some, especially those who live in the region such as Hugo Houle, are in favor of this 'irregularity', most agree that not finishing in Paris feels strange and that it shouldn't become a tradition.
"If it ends in a time trial, once in a while, why not," is the opinion of Bora DS Rolf Aldag - himself a nine-time Tour finisher. "I just don’t want to see a Bordeaux finish in 2028, and then in 2029 Toulouse or Montpellier. For me, it’s really weird, and in every second interview I still get it wrong, saying I can’t wait to get to Paris."
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