Marcel Kittel shines in Paris as the sun sets on Tour de France

The three best sprinters on the Tour surged to the Stage 21 finish line in Paris to cap off the final race of the Tour de France.

From left: King of the Mountains Nairo Quintana, overall winner Christopher Froome and points champion Peter Sagan on Sunday. Yoan Valat / EPA

Marcel Kittel held off the challenge of fellow German Andre Greipel and Britain's Mark Cavendish to grab victory in the final stage of the Tour de France in Paris on Sunday.

As the sun set on the French capital, the traditional sprint finish did not disappoint as the three best sprinters on the Tour surged to the line after a largely processional Stage 21 around the city.

While the plaudits were pouring out for overall champion Chris Froome of Team Sky, Argos Shimano's Kittel enjoyed his moment in the spotlight, clinching the stage that all the riders covet most.

Cavendish, the Omega Pharma-Quickstep rider, had won the final stage of the Tour for the past four years, but left his move for the line just too late and had to settle for third, just behind the two Germans.

As expected, there were no attacks on Froome's unassailable lead in the overall standings as the peloton enjoyed the unusually late-starting final stage – a decision made by organisers so the riders would be taking their final laps around the historic sights of Paris.

Froome's time of 83 hours, 56mins, 40secs saw him win by 4:20 from Nairo Quintana, with Oliver Rodriguez third and Alberto Contador third.

Slovakian Peter Sagan secured the green jersey for points won and Colombia's Quintana claimed the polka-dot jersey as King of the Mountains.

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