One of the most entertaining riders in the race was Ecuador’s Richard Carapaz of EF Education-Easypost. He toiled earlier in the race before coming into great form to claim the king of the mountains’ polka dot jersey.
He won stage 18 and Saturday’s stage 20 after topping the race’s highest point first and after 5,450km of climbing.
The green points jersey was awarded to Pedersen of Lidl-Trek, after tenacious riding on climbs he is not typically strong on to hoover up mid-stage points, alongside winning stage four.
He beat a number of sprinters to the jersey, including Japser Philipsen of Alpecin-Premier Tech. Philipsen won stage 17 and fellow Belgian Tim Merlier of Soudal-Quick Step won three bunch sprint stages.
Tour de France stage 21 results
1. Mathieu van der Poel (Ned/Alpecin-Premier Tech) 1hr 58mins 49secs
2. Jasper Philipsen (Bel/Alpecin-Premier Tech) same time
3. Mads Pedersen (Den/Lidl-Trek)
4. Max Kanter (Ger/XDS-Astana)
5. Olav Kooij (Ned/Decathlon-CMA CGM)
6. Matej Mohoric (Slo/Bahrain-Victorious)
7. Rick Pluimers (Ned/Tudor Pro-cycling)
8. Anthony Turgis (Fra/Total Energies)
9. Milan Fretin (Bel/Cofidis)
10. Clement Russo (Fra/Groupama-FDJ United)
Tour de France general classification after stage 21
1. Tadej Pogacar (Slo/UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 73hrs 56mins 26secs
2. Remco Evenepoel (Bel/Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe) +6mins 26secs
3. Isaac del Toro (Mex/UAE Team Emirates-XRG) +9mins 42secs
4. Paul Seixas (Fra/Decathlon-CMA CGM) +11mins 56secs
5. Lenny Martinez (Fra/Bahrain-Victorious) +13mins 2secs
6. Mattias Skjelmose (Den/Lidl-Trek) +14mins 59secs
7. Juan Ayuso (Spa/Lidl-Trek) +17mins 48secs
8. Richard Carapaz (Ecu/EF Education-Easypost) +20mins
9. Tom Pidcock (GB/Pinarello-Q36.5) +29mins 28secs
10. Jordan Jegat (Fra/Total Energies) +33mins 21secs