21 Stages of Le Tour: Part 1

July 25, 2016 – The Tour de France is admired for its ability to create stories big and small. This year’s Tour was marked by the domination of Great Britain’s Christopher Froome. Capturing his third Tour de France, the Team Sky leader never rode better, showing both courage and panache rarely seen. But there were countless other stories. Here is a look back on just some of them.

By James Startt, European Associate to Peloton
From: Paris, France

Stage 1: The utter renaissance of sprint sensation Mark Cavendish, was just one of the many headlines of this year’s Tour. Winning four stages, not to mention a day in the yellow jersey, Cavendish’s Tour was a total success.

Stage 2: As race winner Christopher Froome said in his victory speech—we also love the Tour for the things that never chance. The fans rank high in that category.

Stage 3: After Mark Cavendish, the Tour had another popular yellow jersey, that of the charismatic Peter Sagan, who took it on stage 2 when he scored his first of three stage wins.

Stage 4: French sprinter Bryan Coquard, moments after narrowly losing stage 4.

Stage 5: Pre-race favorite Alberto Contador, was one of the Tour’s early victims. Crashing several times, he eventually dropped out.

Stage 6: Just about everyone appeared happy for Belgian Greg Van Avermaet. One of the peloton’s most consistent finishers, he is an infrequent winner. His spell in the yellow jersey provided fitting recognition of his aggressive racing style.

Stage 7: These British fans followed the entire Tour, breaking out the nation’s colors along the roadside every day.