Paris, then. Overrated, or one of the greatest cities in the world? I’m the former and my missus is closer to the latter. I’d agree with her that the food is overrated – too rich, too bland – but the history is so emotionally overwhelming and there are very few cities of which that can be said.
“Thanks to the Guardian live blog team,” says the Costa Brava’s Gareth Thomas. “As I’m watching the TDF in a bar, it’s too noisy to hear the Spanish commentator. With the visuals on the big screen, the commentary from the Guardian live blog, and of course a cold beer, it all works fine!”
I just had a swing of water in my north London box room, so we’re in the same zone.
I have a friend who reckons that Bernal’s Colombia is the greatest country in South America. I find it hard to see how anywhere can be better than Brazil (the obvious criticism ignored for a moment). Am I wrong?
WARNING: minor Anglo-Saxon.
“He didn’t really get ‘that’ close,” tweets Jeremy CP. “Full stages yesterday and Friday and he may have been 10-20+ minutes down. For a Frenchman, talk about Pinot not Alaphilippe.”
Yes, fair enough.
Wiggins is with Brailsford, who says winning never gets old, and agrees that Bernal’s maturity exceeds his age. It’s extremely revealing stuff.
“This has honestly been the most enjoyable Tour for many many years,” reckons Guy Hornsby. “And I say this as a huge British cycling fan who’s been spoilt with a cavalcade of victories in Grand Tours since Wiggins broke through. While those were massive for cycling, the means in which they were achieved were seldom memorable, even with G last year (his winner’s speech was probably the highlight of the race). Sky’s dominance sapped so much enjoyment out of those wins. But this year they struggled to control things, and the race erupted into flamboyance, chaos and attacks, with a leader no one foresaw and a winner most didn’t expect for a few years. It’s almost a shame he’s part of the Ineos machine, but perhaps he wouldn’t have won without it. So thanks for the panache, Julien, the effort G, the climbs Pinot, and the skills, Egan. What a win. Thanks for you lot all too, for making the MBM such fun. My money’s on Caleb Ewan next.”
Yes, agreed – sport needs jeopardy.
“Hello Daniel,” says Alan Amos. With regard to your comment, ‘I wonder if Alaphilippe can make the necessary improvements between now and next term, or if it’s just a physiological hurdle that he’ll never overcome’: Would he want to try? As far as I can see it, neither he nor his team were aiming at GC in this Tour, nor have Quick-Step had a rider that was capable of taking on such a challenge in the decades that the team has existed. To radically change the aims of the team towards GC in a grand tour for next year would be such a change I couldn’t imagine it happening: at the same time, I can’t see Alaphilippe leaving them. We’ll see what happens next…”
Yes, but he got so close – I know he sort of said he never thought it was on, but the way he responded on the first Alp stage suggested to the contrary. Once people have had a taste…
What could they do to make this stage more of a thing and less of a jaunt? Wild animals en route?
We see it slowmo and actually that’s a pretty good neck from yerman, hurled straight down, no fuss.
Bernal has champagne in his hand, and clinks flute with whoever’s in the car next to him. He sees it away, lad that he is.
I wonder if Alaphilippe can make the necessary improvements between now and next term, or if it’s just a physiological hurdle that he’ll never overcome.
It’s another belting day in France, after that little mountain interlude. Bernal and Alaphilippe blather togather, which is nice to see.
Preamble
It’s been an absolutely vintage Tour, packed with all manner of drama, desolation and controversy – an absolute joy, basically. And in Egan Bernal, cycling has a popular and deserving winner who might just take the sport to new people and places. He’ll enjoy a relaxing little jaunt into Paris this evening, while the sprinters do the work and we blather blather to each other.
Start: 5.10pm BST, 6.10pm local time.
Reading: This.
Updated