Well you should, because it is. If it’s not in France, what is it in?
The wife and I had a week in Yorkshire prior to the Tour (bit of walking and cycling) and the atmosphere everywhere was just incredible - every village shop / tearoom / pub / house / wall throughout the Dales was decorated with polka dots or yellow bikes and lots of bunting - great effort by everyone.
We watched the race fly by in Skipton (made it briefly onto TV - yey!) although we had hoped to go up Buttertubs, but it was so hectic we didn’t even try in the end. The roads closed 4am so it was either camp out the night before, or a long hike or cycle up to the top and be locked in for most of the day, or watch the peloton pass in town and then enjoy the rest of the stage on a big screen with a few beers - obviously, the latter won and all was good.
Incidently, the Giro went past my childhood house in NI last month, and Le Tour went past my wife’s childhood house in Cambridge today - always good to see places you know well on the route.
Anyhow - on the race proper; Is it to be Nibali, Contador or Froome? Or AN Other, perhaps? I’m not sure I’m enamoured with the final stage time-trial this year.
Exciting finish today in London.
Kittel is looking very strong. Stronger than Sagan. Though Sagan remains the point leader in green.
I’d love to see Tejay Van Garderen take a stage win. Same for Alexandro Valverde.
Andy Schleck keeps falling down. If it wasn’t for bad luck he’d have no luck at all.
Every now and then we get a look at Fabian Cancellara. He’s still in it and I expect to see him in a long break away at some point before this is all over.
Too soon to tell who will be the winner in Paris. I think Chris Froome is the most likely to take it again because of his abilities and the Sky team. I don’t think Contador has the legs. One thing in Contador’s favour is that Nairo Quintana is not racing in the tour this year. Nibali doesn’t have the team.
Chris Froome cycles across/under the English Channel.
How cool is that?! 
I guess Andy Schleck’s luck wore out completely. He’s out of the tour due to his fall yesterday.
The day is done. I won’t give away the winner because I don’t know how many of you are following in real time and how many watch at the end of the day.
Looking forward to the cobbles tomorrow. I hope to see a lot of Fabian Cancellara at the front. This is his specialty. Would be fantastic to see him cross the line first.
Photo finish.
I was one of the first people (I think) to ride a bike under Boston Harbor.
Well the sprint stages are a non event without Cav. Just hand Kittel the jersey.
Actually, Sagan is most likely to win it.
Yeah, seems Sagan is content to sweep the mid-stage sprint points knowing that the final sprints are too much of a crap shoot. It’s a clever strategy.
Kittel is a machine. I do miss the Manx Missile. But then I miss Thor Hushovd too.
I cycled through the Blackwall tunnel once, with a Volkswagen nudging up behind me all the way- not recommended.
I haven’t seen the guy in the Clean Bottle costume yet, is he still around this year?
Apparently, he wasn’t just somebody they hired, but the founder of the company.
Haven’t seen the clean bottle guy so far. Also haven’t seen the Red Devil (Didi Senft). But he’s usually around on the epic stages of the race.
What I have seen far too much of is these guys.
Pishing down in Northern France, apparently. Organisers have cut two of the pave sections out of the route, leaving 7.
Didi was on the course at about 20km left yesterday.
What a mess. These boys are certainly earning their pay today.
The lime green train keeps pulling the peleton forward. Looks like Sagan wants to make a serious bid for the stage. He’s certainly strong enough and has the bike handling skills. May be this is his day. It’s certainly not looking good for Chris Froome - another fall and possibly a penalty.
Carnage and they haven’t even hit the cobbles yet. Froome is out of the Tour - second fall of the day has done him in.
Where is Spartacus?
Exciting race today.
I am surprised by Nibali’s strong finish. Well done.
Suck it, Contador.
Nibali has always been a terrific bike handler. He is a personal fav of mine and expect him to be able to keep Contador within reach in the mountains but we shall see soon enough. Fixing to be a fun tour either way.
Love Boom. Happy he won.