Chris Froome paid tribute to the victims of the tragedy in Nice after winning a third Tour de France on Sunday.

Team Sky rider Froome claimed his third Tour general classification triumph, retaining the crown he won last year and in 2013.

Speaking on the podium in Paris, the Kenyan-born Britain expressed his belief that sport and cycling can be a force for a good.

"My thoughts go again to those who lost their lives in the tragedy in Nice," he said, referring to an incident in which 84 people were killed when a truck was deliberately driven into crowds of people lining the streets to celebrate Bastille Day. 

"The values of sport are so important to a free society. We all love the Tour de France. We love the Tour because it's unpredictable. 

"But we love the Tour more for what stays the same: the passion of the fans from every nation along the road side, the beauty of the French countryside and the bonds of friendship created through a true sport. These things will never change."

Froome made a point of linking arms with his support riders and the 31-year-old, who finished second overall after helping Bradley Wiggins win the Tour in 2012, thanked Team Sky's domestiques for their sacrifice. 

"It's amazing, amazing," he was quoted as saying by the Tour de France website.

"It doesn't wear off after two times. Rolling on the Champs-Elysees is the same, it's an amazing feeling. 

"My team-mates have emptied themselves every day, so it was important to show on the finishing line this is a team sport, this is what it's all about, what we've worked for."