Argos-Shimano rider Marcel Kittel has revealed that winning the final stage of the Tour de France was the best day of his life.

The 25-year-old edged out Andre Greipel and Mark Cavendish, who was looking to make it five consecutive wins in Paris, in the closing stages on the Champs-Elysees.

Kittel also expressed his gratitude to Cavendish for the Team Sky sprinter's kind words prior to the race.

"It was for sure the best day in my life as a rider on a bike," Kittel told reporters. "This was a great, great win and a great performance by the whole team. Thank you to everyone, the boys were amazing today.

"I was already hungry, but of course it is always nice to get such a compliment, especially from a sprinter such as Mark. He's a nice guy and he actually said 'Good luck' to me in the race today before the sprint.

"We have lots of respect for each other and I like that way of having a fair sporting competition."

Chris Froome ran out as the eventual winner of the competition.