Tour de France: Chris Froome wins the race as riders cross the finishing line in Paris

Froome was decided as the winner around an hour before the race actually ended

Chris Froome, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, rides arm-in-arm with teammate Britain's Geraint Thomas as he crosses the finish line of the twenty-first and last stage of the Tour de France (Peter Dejong/AP)

Racers have crossed the finish line of the final stage of the Tour de France, signalling an end to the annual race in which British cyclist Chris Froome took victory.

It is Froome's second time winning the Tour de France, having previously taken the title in 2013. His victory also marks Britain's third win in the race's history, after Bradley Wiggins won in 2012.

In a further impressive title, Froome has become the only British person to have ever won the Tour twice.

While the final laps of Paris and the final sprint down the Champs Elysees was dramatic, it was mostly ceremonial - Froome had been decided as the winner around an hour before.

Chris Froome rides past the Arc de Triomphe during the final stage of the race. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images Europe)

He was surrounded by his Team Sky teammates as he learned of his win, and celebrated with a small glass of champagne before going on to finish the race.

He was determined to have won the race due to his impressive lead as soon as he reached the famous boulevard and the clock was 'neutralised'.

The final part of the race was also cut short due to wet weather - it was decided that the 10 laps of the Jardin des Tuileries would be reduced, as the rain had made the road surface slippery and potentially dangerous.

Despite his pre-determined win, Froome still participated in the final sprint towards the finish line.

At the start of the stage, Froome had an impressive lead 1 minute and 12 seconds over his closest competitior, Colombian Nairo Quintana.

Froome's Tour had been dogged by accusations of doping from spectators and the media, claims which he has strenuously denied. However, he told Sky News that the majority of the fans had been "fantastic", and said his win made it all worthwhile.