A Parisian parade awaits for Chris Froome as he all but secured a third Tour de France victory with one stage to go.
Froome, who won the Tour in both 2013 and 2015, saw his lead trimmed by fractionally by Romain Bardet, to, four minutes and five seconds, as Spanish rider Ion Izaguirre claimed his first stage victory in Morzine.
Horrendous rain made for treacherous conditions on the 146.5km route from Megeve, but Team Sky’s Froome survived the final descent to move the 31-year-old one step closer to becoming the first Brit in history to win three Tour titles.
Tomorrow’s route from Chantilly to the French capital will be largely processional as tradition dictates the Yellow Jersey holder should not be challenged during the final stage.
It would be a tall order for Frenchman Bardet should he launch an attack, but as Froome crossed the line, a grin emblazoned across his face, he knew that a third title was in the bag.
"I still need to get the yellow jersey to Paris tomorrow but certainly the racing side is done and dusted," he said.
"It's an amazing feeling of relief, just coming over the last line today. Thank you to all my team-mates, they've really been there for me every step of the way and I couldn't ask for more."
Froome finished just over four minutes behind stage winner Izaguirre after the Movistar rider launched a breakaway, taking more risks than his competitors down the final tricky descent.
The Team Sky train assured Froome of an easy climb over the Col de la Ramaz and Col de Joux Plane, allowing him a leisurely ride down the mountains to cross the line alongside teammate and fellow Brit Geraint Thomas.
Adam Yates looks set to finish fourth overall and retain possession of the white jersey after finishing in 13th on Saturday.
The 23-year-old was handed a ten second penalty after yesterday's stage for receiving a push from an Orica-BikeExchange teammate, increasing his initial nine-second deficit to 19, before losing a further two seconds to Colombian Nairo Quintana in the final metres of today's stage.
But he will still finish as the best under-25 rider in what is only his second Tour, and insisted he is still thrilled with his achievements.
“I was never meant to be focused over three weeks of racing,” he said. “Yesterday I had my only real bad day and I saved myself pretty well.
“I maintained the white jersey and I'm super happy with that. The podium would have been nice but this is the Tour de France. It's only my second attempt.
“I'm happy with my performance and the team is too.”
Sportsbeat 2016