Bonjour!  Stage 20 – It was ‘all change’ at the top of the General Classification at the start of the day. After three weeks’ intense and astounding racing, the top three were now Egan Bernal, Julian Alaphilippe and Geraint Thomas, in that order. The last Alpine stage would determine the outright winner, with one last climb at the finish in Val Thorens. The weather still threatened but the day began well, Bernal changing his customary white, Combative shirt for the Yellow Jersey and Thomas aiming to swap places with Alaphilippe to take second place.

It was a large group that broke away at the start with Jumbo Visma and Ineos heading up the second tranche. There were several cracks in the field though, as the stage progressed. French hearts were broken again when Alaphilippe was dropped with 13km to go. He continued with great resilience to end the day in fifth place.

The stage was taken impressively by Vincenzo Nibali, who was tenacious! The sight of last year’s winner, Geraint Thomas crossing the line with his team-mate and this year’s winner Egan Bernal, was quite wonderful.  It wasn’t the result we expected, but everything about this race has been unexpected – and all the better for it.  

On to Paris…Here are my pictures 🙂

Stage 20 – Jumbo Visma

Stage 20 – Everyone’s cracking up!

Stage 20 – Resilient riding, but it was not to be.

Stage 20 – Nibali crosses the line!

Stage 20 – From one champ to another!

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All images copyright Maxine Dodd.

For in-depth race analysis, delivered with fun and wit, I highly recommend ‘Velovoices’ but don’t forget to come back to ‘Racing Lines’ for the pictures!

Have a great day! 🙂