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So here we are, the final day, a ceremonial spin into Paris followed by the biggest prize in sprinting. Lets see what's in store.
The Route: 116km starting in Houilles, a Vélib ride away from Chatou were Paris-Nice started earlier this year. It’s a quick ride away from Paris before riding back and onto the Champs Elysées circuit.
The Finish: As ever there’s a slight rise to the Champs Elysées and it’s cobbled, the urban variety of pavé but enough to make it that bit harder. After weeks touring rural France here is the capital’s seal of approval, a finish fit for a visiting head of state.
The profile.
And the last few KM.
So, who's in the mix? Well, very few of the usual suspects and those even those that are still in are going to be on their knees. Inrng, what you thinking?
The Contenders: Alexander Kristoff (UAE-Emirates) has been in the top-5 five times now so a win is almost due, especially since several rivals who beat him earlier in the race have gone home ill, injured or missed the time cut. But he lacks the team support.
By contrast Arnaud Démare has the train with Groupama-FDJ and he’s got the sprint, the slight uphill run to the line is ideal for him although two stage wins seems a big ask.
Peter Sagan could still be sore from his crash on Wednesday but was all smiles in post-stage interviews yesterday, Christophe Laporte (Cofidis) was close to Démare in Pau but this was a career best sprint in the World Tour, to win on the Champs Elysées would be a huge win for him. So John Degenkolb (Trek-Segafredo) and even Edvald Boasson Hagen (Dimension Data) bring more experience.
And of course, yesterday, a TT, but not an ordinary TT at all.
G
Froome
Tom
No comment needed.
Big shout out to Inrng, arguably the most comprehensive and knowledgeably site on the web for road racing and a place I've got loads from over the last 3 weeks. And also to CyclingTips, Not as racing focused as Inrng but home of brilliant content and beautiful pics, bar this place probably the best general cycling site on the web.
One more post tomorrow as a look back and I'm done. It's been fun.
Geraint Thomas - amazing performance and<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;"> I'm really happy for Dan Martin too. Looking forward to a good sprint and seeing Team Sky roll over the finish line together to. I hope the fans behave today.</span>
@lunge - thanks!! Great job!
Lunge - thanks top job!
Cool étape bro.
Yeah, might be the precession.. might be a pantomime.. might be a media whores wet dream..
But it’s the culmination of 160blokes who busted a gut on and off the bike, in front of media or wishing they were in front of media. Guys in the squads that wash up, that prepare the food, that stand on the side of a road handing bottles out to then sprint over a mountain to hand some gels out then rush back to the hotels to prepare the massage beds and have a shit.
This stage is for the forgotten, the retired, the broken, the onlookers, the people who make the gear, supply the gear, support the teams and mop up after them.
Demare FTW. Chavenel to punt off the front for 3 laps (its his last TdF) and some sore elbows with Kristoff.
Its been a journey, it always is.
Mop up tomorrow I’m really looking forward to.. I’ll share my gratitude to lunge then.
G's post stage interview brought a glisten to my eye. Somehow better than wiggins win as Geraint although being a supreme athlete seems like one of us ordinary guys.
I feel like attending any victory parade organised in Cardiff for him even though I have no Welsh connections
Can we all raise a glass to Lawson Craddock today as well as to Lunge?
Can we all raise a glass to Lawson Craddock today as well as to Lunge?
Yes, yes we can, and we should as well.
Thank you Lunge.
The last 3 weeks have been amazing for cycling fans, even more so for me, as Geraint is my all time favourite racer.
He showed such promise this year from the start. I saw him change and grow into a true winner and backed him to win. Hoping that if he could stay on the bike it would be his time. Not ashamed to say I cried yesterday after the ITT.
For today I'm getting behind Edvald.
Also a massive cheer for Dan Martin. Watching him race is thrilling, entertaining and a lesson in how to be a gracious and sporting gentleman.
Bring on Paris.
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/jul/28/cruel-tour-de-france-broken-bones-fight-for-survival
A. Good write up from the guardian there. Top effort from Lawson Craddock who also raised a heap of cash for his local velodrome
Despite the pain I wouldn't bet against Sagan to be in the mix somewhere
Sagan to have a go, but like the last sprint, will be found wanting. Sky on the front for their lap ad Chavanel will also be allowed off to be feted by the crowds. Demare will take the win to keep the French spirits high.
Craddock will get the biggest cheer. He’s done more for EF than a brace of stage wins. Four fourths missed a trick here with their Scorpion, obvious sponsorship. The Lantern Rouge is a good book that now needs an epilogue.
Is it on terrestrial television?
ITV 3pm.
Cheers
I came across this interesting statistic on Twitter this morning.
Total times for Giro and TdF
Chris Froome 169h35'40'' Tom Dumoulin 169h35'53''
That's 13 seconds difference over nearly 170 hours.
👀🚀
Crazy stat.
@lunge thanks for the last 3 weeks, its been appreciated.
Before I write another word, I think Thomas the Bike has a really good chance of winning the Tour!
Its first thing I've written in the last two weeks that is almost certainly correct as a prediction.
For todays stage win, Sagan because I want to be.
Alternatively fantasy, a Sky lead train out and G sprint for the stage.
Those pictures ^^^ No ski suit for Froome?
He’s wearing the latest Castilli bodypaint in custom Sky livery. Also some Castelli aero overshoes with integrated sock. I noticed he was not wearing the Castelli speed gloves that I use.
Right then, brew on, time for a few hours with Sean Kelly, Carlton Kirby and the boys on Eurosport. Lovely.
ITV at Maindy fliers, which is a nice touch. How's the ES coverage?
This please ,
“Alternatively fantasy, a Sky lead train out and G sprint for the stage.”
Well that was kinda how it was expected, wonttit..
This next podium is a special one, Geraint Thomas crowned TdF winner.
That is just fabulous, and the welsh flag too.. 👍🤩
What a humble chap he is and a worthy winner of this, and many more tours to come.
Rumours of Geraint doing the Tour of Britain later in the year for a lap of honour..
Mike drop...
Good lad
Bit dusty here, top lad.
Same here, very dusty watching that
Nice speech. Froome appeared genuinely happy for Thomas
Drop the mic 🤣
What do you mea a bit dusty. Man up, I cried me eyes out, so pleased for him.
I've been lurking these threads, so yeah, thanks Lunge.
What a 3 weeks! Brilliant.
On the mic drop thing, I thought that was the prelude to a massive flounce, not a general speech ending. Only bloke that hates G in the whole of europe is the PA tech. 😂