Bonjour!  Stage 21 – So here we are!  The last stage of this year’s race. It’s been amazing – Today’s stage is the final piece of the puzzle with celebrations for the GC riders and one last burst for the sprinters.  Where do they get their energy from?  I imagine that the mountain climbers just sit quietly at the back after their effort.  Paris was beautiful as ever – and possibly the only part of Europe not drenched in rain.  The sun sank perfectly behind the Arc de Triomphe, lighting the Champs-Élysées in gold. Caleb Ewan burst through, apparently from…

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…

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…

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…

Bonjour!  Stage 17 – The course followed on from yesterday’s stage, starting at the breathtaking Pont du Gard and working its hot path to Gap. This was a hilly transition stage, taking the race to its closing and decisive mountain stages in the Alps, before heading for Paris. There was a lot at stake for all teams and their riders. Mitchelton-Scott’s Matteo Trentin broke away to take the win, in a lovely solo effort.  Here are my pictures, 🙂   Click on an image to see in full – Medium and measurements are listed below. Click here if you wish…