Ups and downs: The best (and worst) of this year's Tour de France
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Best team helper: Mark Cavendish
The sight of the world champion's jersey stuffed with bottles and hammering out a top pace on the lower slopes of the mountain climbs was the biggest indication of Sky's team unity – and of Cavendish's willingness to sacrifice his chances for Wiggins' yellow.
Best stage win
In Annonay, David Millar beat John-Christophe Péraud after riding faultlessly in the day's breakaway. His press conference afterwards, remembering Tom Simpson and underlining cycling's battle against doping was almost equally memorable.
Most surprising overall ride
Tejay Van Garderen's fifth place overall and Best Young Rider's jersey saw the young American outshine his erstwhile leader Cadel Evans.
Most disappointing performance
Russian Denis Menchov has won three Grand Tours and finished on the Tour de France podium in 2010. He was all but invisible here.
Wackiest journos' freebie
In 2010 it was the flower-shaped vibrator from a ski station in the Alps, last year it was a sack of sand taken from the world's highest viaduct in Millau; this year's top surreal gift for Tour reporters was the cardboard tube of toothpaste from Metz, with descriptions of the city's achievements written down the sides.
Best team
Won hands-down by Team Sky. Six stage wins, first and second overall, leading the race for two weeks and faultless execution of their plan to reach the Tour.
Stupidest fans
This classification was being led by the idiots who fired flares at the Tour the day Millar won, until some even crazier individuals scattered tacks on the road.
Best nation
Without banging the patriotic drum too loudly, after 109 years without a single rider in the Tour's top three, Great Britain taking the top two spots cannot be outmatched.
Best sprint
Cavendish charging away with 600 metres to go, twice the usual distance, was one of his best wins ever, let alone in the Tour.
Loudest frogs
Of the amphibious variety, we hasten to add. Won hands down by the huge chorus of bullfrogs who croaked, bellowed and ribbeted at deafeningly loud levels all night long in their pond right outside my hotel – somewhere in the Vosges after stage seven. Were they celebrating Wiggo's first yellow jersey? We shall never know.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments