Stage 20 profile
The final stage of the Tour tends to belong to the sprinters, who will be more focused to win after Alexander Vinokourov's surprise victory on the Champs-Elysees last year.

Your Tour experiences:

We were on the avenue last year to watch the final stage and it was quite special especially atmosphere during prior to the riders entering Paris. Once they arrived the crowd went nuts and I was at awe with the speed the riders can generate. Especially when you see the support cars flooring it! Lets hope Super Robbie wins the Green this year & Cadel finishes in the top 10. Go Aussies
Stu, London

I used to run up mont valerien when I lived in west Paris many years ago while training with the a local football team - it's quite a climb and should make the Antony stage of the Tour very interesting.
marko, Bristol

We went to watch the last stage of the Tour enter Paris last year, 2005, - mainly to see super Lance Armstrong win again. It was a fantastic experience, although sitting on a cold wet Parisian pavement for seven hours waiting for the peloton to pass was something I am not to keen on repeating.

But it was worth the wait, especially the parade of the teams. I am sure Lance gave us a special wave - I think it was the bright yellow waterproofs and our "Lance Fan" banners. I really hope George Hincapie wins this year, as a reward for all his years of patience.
Margaret and Jim Ross, Harrogate, North Yorkshire

We arrived on The Champs Elysees at 5am last year and it poured down with rain. But, we weren't bothered. Be aware that it's very difficult to cross the Champs after this time as it's well policed and blocked off. So, pick your spot on the railings and don't move!

Befriend the Germans as they're well organised and have flasks and food and the like because they're, well, German I suppose! Stand your ground on the barrier as people push and shove while you're there and one horrible Dutchman even tried to use his child to steal our spot - seven hours after we'd started queueing. The cheek of it!

Oh, and take one of those camping fold away-chairs with you. It may very well be the best decision of your entire life. You'll be able to sit on it until midday or so but, after that, you'll have to stand. And try not to drink too much, after midday it's impossible to leave for a wee as, by this time, the crowd will be 10 deep behind you (no kidding) and you'll never make it out and back in again without getting scorn poured upon you.

Once you've ensured you've done all this, enjoy and remember, the riders come past you nine or so times, so you'll see them lots.
Jane Hodgson , Preston

I was in the the town of Maurs in 2004 to see the Tour pass through and it was all gone in 60 seconds! I will be somewhere in Paris on 23 july on my honeymoon (with wife)!! hopefully on the finish line but probably proping up a bar talking a good race to anyone who cares to listen!!
John Wod, Farnham, Surrey

I was on the Champs-Elysees last year to see Alexander Vinokourov's incredible win and the atmosphere was amazing - even better than the atmosphere at a football match.

I'd recommend getting there early (we got there at 7am) so that you get up against the railings and also I'd recommend befriending some people around you because the Parisians have a tendancy of turning up right at the last minute and trying to barge there way to the front so when there it's best having a group of 10-15 people there to protect your spot on the railings!

We stood on a road just across from the podium so we got a great view of that as well and also there was a big screen there so that we could check out the action. I'd definitely recommend that people go to the final stage at least once in their life but I much prefer watching the time trials or the mountain stages which is why this year I'm off to see the Pyrenean stages.
Philip Carter, Ramsey, Isle of Man

We went to the final stage in Paris in 2004. We managed to get hold of some passes for the grandstand right on the finish line. What a fabulous weekend we had. With the exception of a stage on one of the big mountains or a time trial I can think of nothing more exciting and enjoyable to watch. Shame to hear that in 2006 we will not see Jan Ullrich and Ivan Basso (and who knows possibly others?) fighting for the yellow jersey - roll on Le Tour 2007
Richard Wareham, Basingtsoke, Hampshire

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