We've come a long, long way together

And so we come to the end of another Tour. It's been a great journey and how I'll miss the anticipation of each day's events, constantly checking the Eurosport website (although the official Le Tour site was the best for the Annency time trial) and then rushing home to watch the ITV4 evening show. Nothing will ever beat the Barcelona experience that triggered something in me that I don't want to let go of and the shock (and delight) of my beloveds occasional insightful comments on the riders. It was always going to be Contador and anybody who thought he might bonk like he did the last time he was in Provence underestimates quite what a phenomenal rider he is - Lance, you should have come back by managing a team and not riding in HIS team. No matter how impressive your return has been, ultimately it is pointless. Well done Britannia, 4 riders, 1 the fastest, 2 the most improved, 3 the most articulate and 4 the most loyal. Other honourable mentions go to Herr Haussler for raw emotion (and the nod of acknowledgement), The God of Thunder for his breakaway to show he had earned his jersey and for Brice Felieu for his ride to Arcalis (an annoying missed photo opportunity).

However, after 3 weeks of following the peleton, the intrigue and the scenery I am irked to say that I am writing this knowing that I will not see the finale in Paris. Compulsory attendance (only joking Nick & Carey (?)) of a wedding means that I will miss a certain person's record breaking 6th stage win. Anyway, I'm so confident he will do it that I leave this post with his picture - I saved it for now in the hope that it would have been more relevant (as I did the headline 'Thor Loser' - genius!). Next year for sure.