Take It From Carol: Tour de France Stage 21

Not just your average Tour....

And the countdown begins to next year. True the podium doesn’t reflect it, but this Tour was not just a calculated defense; it was a sit on the edge of your seat, what will happen today RACE!

The organizers got it right with mixing the first week up (more and more sprinters will have to evolve from pure to a bit of a hybrid a la Sagan).

That first week gave us our unexpected, but worthy hero: Julian Alaphilippe. His relentless willingness to suffer and race beyond his physical abilities breathed life into the Tour. All of France (and I dare say many in the peloton) began to believe the impossible and the legend: the yellow jersey does give you wings. On its 100th year anniversary, the yellow jersey could not have asked for a better man to defend and represent it.

Today the men will celebrate and honor each other with the long held tradition of photo ops and champagne (beer of late). That is until we get to the Champs-Élysées. True the podium will not be contested, but the sprinters—who survived the rarified air of the Alps—will get a moment to shine as they race for the glory of winning the Stage in Paris.

Thanks for indulging my passion.

Until next July....