Chris Froome is expected to win a second Tour de France title later today after he managed to defend his overall lead in the 20th stage.
The Team Sky cyclist finished 72 seconds ahead of Nairo Quintana - and wound up in fifth place on Saturday's journey from Modane Valfrejus to Alpe d'Huez.
With just a processional ride into Paris remaining, Froome has all but won the competition.
The 21st and final stage of the Tour de France is mainly flat, making it near impossible for rivals to catch up and take the lead.
Froome told France 2: "It's harder to say if this was harder than 2013, but every day was flat out, it was very hard.
"Next year I'll come back and renew the rivalry with Nairo. He's a great prospect, has a bright future, a great talent who races correctly, making his race at the right moment."
According to Sky News correspondent Enda Brady, there are reports Froome was spat on during Saturday's race. The cyclist also had urine thrown over him during the 14th stage last weekend.
Saturday's result means Froome will become the first Briton to win the Tour de France for a second time, after first picking up the yellow jersey in 2013.
It is also the third time a Briton has pedalled their way to victory in the Tour in just four years with Sir Bradley Wiggins winning in 2012.
During the 20th stage, Quintana, who is in second place overall, managed to slash Froome's lead from 158 seconds to 72, but it was still not enough to become champion.
Thibaut Pinot, who won Saturday's round, said: "It was a very hard stage but I am so happy to have written myself into history.
"I was under so much stress, I didn't know how far Quintana was behind me."
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