Champs-Élysées, Paris

Bradley Wiggins of Team Sky became the first Briton in the history of this iconic bike race to win the 'maillot jaune' of the Tour de France, winning the title as he crossed the finish line on the Champs-Élysées. Team-mate and fellow Brit Mark Cavendish took his fourth consecutive final stage win.

Wiggins won the General Classification with an overall gap of 3 minutes 21 seconds over his most dangerous rival, Sky teammate Christopher Froome. Vincenzo Nibali of Liquigas-Cannondale took the other podium place, finishing third overall 6 minutes 19 seconds behind Wiggins.

The British rider, who had spent the entire race in either the Yellow Jersey or second place overall, emphatically demonstrated his intentions with two time trial victories, winning against the clock on stages 9 and 19 to virtually guarantee the title. The only rider who was able to sustain any challenge was his teammate and lieutenant, Froome.