Course: After looping around the Chevreuse valley south of Paris, the course heads into the city on the right bank of the Seine to reach the traditional Champs-Élysées finishing circuit after 92.5km. Eight laps of the 6.5km circuit complete the 2005 Tour just 400 meters after the final turn from the Place de la Concorde.

History: This is the 30th anniversary of the Tour first finishing on the Champs-Élysées. It previously finished in the velodromes at Vincennes (1968-74) and the Parc des Princes (1904-67). The first Tour, in 1903, finished at Ville d’Avray in the Paris suburbs.

Stage 21 - Corbeil-Essonnes to Paris (Champs-Elysées) >144.5km

Favorites: The Paris finale nearly always produces a sprint finish, taken in recent years by Boonen, Jean-Patrick Nazon and McEwen. These three will again be in the picture, along with Cooke, Hushovd, O’Grady and perhaps Davis.