Bastille Day – France’s national day – guarantees lots of enthusiastic people on the road side and high TV audiences in the hosting country of the world’s biggest bike race. It’s usually an inspiration for French riders. It could have been a great day for Thibaut Pinot to win from a breakaway but he burned some matches in yesterday’s stage through the vineyards of the Beaujolais, finishing 6th in Belleville. Now in the top 10 overall, he might not have the same freedom to make his moves. The 17.4km long Grand Colombier is one of his favourite climbs. It’s steep and brutal. It gives Tadej Pogacar an occasion to take the yellow jersey again, one year after he lost it to Jonas Vingegaard at col du Granon. It’s for sure a hot spot for the duel set to fire up the Tour at the entrance of the Alps. Since 2020, Pogacar holds the record of the final climb in 46 minutes.
