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Yes, you don't need to watch tomorrow until the final lap.

The first time I saw the final stage on TV I was in France, and couldn't understand the commentary. I didn't know what was going on when five leaders crossed the finishing line, and no-one was excited. Turned out there were six more "laps" to go!

Mind you, it is nice to see them sipping Champagne on the way to Paris!
Chapeau to all the riders!
Been a long hard road since Utrecht.

YES, Pigale is delighted to have a French win on Alpe d'Huez !

Hi everyone,

Have only seen the last 1/2 hour of the race - spent the afternoon .............'cafe crawling' (!!!) with this old friend of mine. He lives in Jersey so we don't see each other very often - As much as I love the Tour , I must get my priorities right and give preference to my friend.

I reckon that Froome deserves his win overall, he has carried the yellow jersey for many days - the team was strong and cleverly orchestrated. I just wish Europcar and other French teams had had more stages wins earlier on in the race.

Thibault had a great win today ! With Bardet and Rolland being 1st and 2nd the other day, I am happy to see that the Alps seem to be favourable to French riders.

I am going to appear harsh, but I think I will forget Voeckler and Contador for next year ! There is a lot of talent amongst some of the younger riders.

What 's the next item on the agenda Rusty ?

Hello, Pigale!
Yes, some promising young French riders!
Pinot reminds me of Hinault.
Yes Froome deserved his win.
His team were strong.
Next on the the agenda?
Next Saturday is the Clasica San Sebastian.
Live on Eurosport.
La Vuelta starts on 22nd August, for three weeks.
The Vattenfall Cyclassics in Hamburg is on 23rd August.
Plenty to look forward to, Pigale!

I haven't taken to Pinot. His petulance in the first week and his anti-team efforts today both seemed a bit self-indulgent (though I suppose today might have been a cunning plan).

Note for my cycling diary and anyone who's interested.
Prudential RideLondon returns to Surrey and comes through my village.
Sunday 2nd August

The Tour of Britain comes through our town in September ............................... and we are both away (in different places).

As I said, I only saw a short portion of today's stage.
One thing I would say in Pinot's defense is that, like is often the case whenever a young sportman looks promising, the media puts him on a pedestal - and quite often those youngsters can't quite cope with what is expected of them. I know Pinot is 25 now, but the media started talking about him when he was even younger.

It reminds of Michalac (sorry about spelling) in Rugby - he was only 19 when he appeared in the French team and the journalists put him so high up, only to drop him the more when he did not perform the following season - he was just a kid and could not cope.

Jazzgirl, you will need to get a special outfit for jumping up and down at the side of the road!
Is it being televised?

Pigale, it is not just the young riders like Pinot who have tantrums.
I remember one year in Paris-Roubaix, Gilbert Duclos-Lasalle punctured, and it was on a section of cobbles where the team cars were not allowed, only motor-bikes. Gilbert was jumping up and down in rage because he could not get a new wheel and cursing every rider who passed him!
He would be around 38/39 that year.
Wonder what he does now?