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!

Click on an image to see in full – Medium and measurements are listed below. Click here if you wish to enquire further

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! 🙂

Bonjour!  Stage 19 – WELL!  This was the stage of all stages!  The race changer for many reasons, but primarily for the remarkable ride of Ineos’s Egan Bernal – what a star he is! It’s hard to know where to begin really – the heartbreak of Thibaut Pinot’s retirement is a start. One of my favourites and vying with Alaphilippe for the Yellow Jersey, should he fail. Poor Pinot’s injury proved too much and his team mate William Bonnet put a consoling arm around the inconsolable Pinot as he stepped off the bike and out of the race. ,.. 

The course was a short but brutal one, with five climbs, including the highest this year, the Col de l’Iseran. The stage was set to finish in Tignes. The day began well in sunshine but as the day progressed, purple storm clouds could be seen in the distance. Bernal was the first to cross the infamous mountain, closely followed by Simon Yates. Bernal closed the timegap on the GC and overtook Alaphilippe whilst he still climbed. He crossed and began the most hair-raising of descents to try and keep his shirt… and then, the hailstorm  and mudslide.  We saw a snow plough clearing mud and hail away further down and the race had to be stopped. There was no winner for the stage.  An emotional Bernal is in Yellow for the defining stage tomorrow.

What a day! Here are my pictures 🙂

Stage 19 – Hard going

Stage 19 – Coming into town

Stage 19 – Golden descent

Stage 19 – Heartbreaking

Stage 19 – Crazy gradients!

Stage 19 – Crazy curves!

Stage 19 – Bernal breaks away

Stage 19 – A huge, sweeping descent for Alaphilippe!

Stage 19 – Time to stop!

Click on an image to see in full – Medium and measurements are listed below. Click here if you wish to enquire further

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! 🙂

Bonjour!  Stage 18 – First day in the Alps! There were significant and notorious climbs today, including the Col du Izouard and the Gol du Galibier.  The scenery was breathtaking at times and strangely surreal at others, with the grey, mauve and ochre earth giving great colour.

In the race, the day belonged to Colombia – a lovely surprise in this ever-surprising race. The win went to Nairo Quintana who has had a quiet race until today. He soared to victory, followed swiftly by Roman Bardet, who took the Polka Dot jersey. Both men looked much happier than they did in the Pyrenees!

The highlight for me, was the descent on the Col du Galibier – the climb was brutal but the descent looked worse – and all the riders were exceptional coming down. Not only fast but a long descent, so their control was phenomenal to see. Colombian fans lined the route and had not only the reward of Quintana’s stage win but witnessed a terrific challenge from Egan Bernal – what a fabulous talent he is!

It was a fantastic stage – and with only two days to go, the race seems wide open! Here are my pictures 🙂

Stage 18 – Départ réel – Along peloton

Stage 18 – Weird earth

Stage 18 – All over the Col du Izouard

Stage 18 – Colombians out for Quintana!

Stage 18 – Yellow Jersey group, flying descent!

Stage 18 – Wheel to wheel for the descent!

Stage 18 – Bardet takes a beautiful line!

Stage 18 – Brilliant descent – Bernal!

Stage 18 – Super descent – Quintana!

Click on an image to see in full – Medium and measurements are listed below. Click here if you wish to enquire further

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! 🙂