The 22-year-old Team Ineos rider finished in the main peloton in a stage won by Caleb Ewan in a frantic sprint finish along the Champs Elysees, the third victory on the race for the Australian.
It was a thrilling conclusion to one of the closest races in recent Tour history, with Bernal’s victory in doubt until the penultimate stage in the Alps on Saturday.
He succeeds teammate Geraint Thomas, who finished second, one minute 11 seconds behind, as champion, breaking a run of four straight British wins in cycling’s most famous race.
Dutch rider Steven Kruijswijk (Jumbo-Visma) completed the podium, a further 20 seconds adrift.
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Julian Alaphilippe bravely hung on in the yellow jersey for 14 days until Friday’s shortened 19th stage where Bernal took the lead for the first time, while a tearful Thibaut Pinot had to pull out through injury
while well-placed to make a challenge on the three mountainous Alpine stages that ultimately decided the final outcome.
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