Tour de France: Froome to retain title after holding on to lead in last competitive stage

Briton Chris Froome of Team Sky was poised to retain his Tour de France title after holding on to his overall lead in the last competitive stage, won by Spain's Ion Izagirre on Saturday.

Froome will wear the yellow jersey in the closing stage, a largely processional ride to the Champs-Elysees in Paris on Sunday.

The 31-year-old, who started the 146.5-km stage with a bandage on his right knee following a crash on Friday, was never threatened on a stormy and rainy day in the Alps.

He stayed safe on the slippery descents, well protected by his team mates, and crossed the line with a smile of relief on his face. 

Froome, who is set to clinch his third Tour title after prevailing in 2013 and 2015, leads France's Romain Bardet by four minutes five seconds.