rather pale blues in the first week

It would be cruel to stick to a comparison with the 2024 edition. Nevertheless, during which the Blues had won three victories during the first 10 stages (Romain Bardet -with the yellow jersey at the key -, Vauquelin and Anthony Turgis), against a zero pointed this year. Consequently, The fact remains that no Frenchman was able to compete in the victory -the best ranking is a fourth place (Turgis. Meanwhile, Romain Grégoire and Bruno Armirail). Furthermore, Overview after the first day of rest.

Second class sprinters – Rather pale blues first week

The hopes were thin. Similarly, the four plain stages confirmed it: the victory in a massive sprint is out of reach. However, After a beautiful fourth place from Turgis in Lille, the most prominent was Bryan Coquard … However, to his defending body. Nevertheless, Taken in a border during the first stage. Therefore, the co -de rather pale blues first week -cofidis runner is the one who made – well involuntarily – falling Jasper Philipsen, forced to abandon during the third stage. Therefore, Marked by the episode, he was then the victim of a fall in the final packaging. No reproach possible either towards the young (23 years old) Paul Penhoët (Groupama-FDJ). 7th in Lille and 5th in Châteauroux. As for Arnaud Démare. last French winner of a sprint in the Tour (2018), it is a floor still below with the best result of a 13th place in Châteauroux.

Putnier glass ceiling – Rather pale blues first week

Kévin Vauquelin, very in sight with four top 10, focused attention. But several tricolor sneakers have made solid services on the rugged stages, with a 4 out of 10 in Boulogne-sur-Mer. In addition to the leader of Arkéa-B & B Hotel. the most impressive was Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ), fourth in Pas-de-Calais then fifth in Rouen, and almost capable rather pale blues first week of following the cadors in the final bumps. But there is the glass ceiling on these steps which have seen the tenors are fighting for it. What to do against a Mathieu van der Poel or a Tadej Pogacar? Julian Alaphilippe tried the blow to Boulogne-sur-Mer. finishing 5th, but his attacks no longer seem sharp enough, and he was then set back.

Dry bread brown

Between the flat stages such as the hand monopolized by the sprinters. those rugged by the tenors, this edition has so far left little room for the backpackers. Mattéo Vercher. Mathieu Burgaudeau (Totalenergies) attempted a break-flow to Laval, but without much hope, and they had to be satisfied with the price of combativeness.

In adventurer-grating mode, Lenny Martinez was expected for July 14 after an extremely complicated start to the round. He responded, putting on the polka dot jersey formerly worn by his grandfather rather pale blues first week Mariano (winner of the tunic in 1978). At 22. he has the future ahead of him but, in the meantime, the Bahrain runner showed his limits by being released from the group of escaped before the finale in Mont-Dore.

The thinning of the time

The time trial remains a poor parent for the Blues with a single. success in the Tour since the double of Jean-François Bernard in 1987 (Julian Alaphilippe in 2019). But two tricolors managed to shine in Caen. Vauquelin, flying over his Norman roads (5th), and the French specialty champion, Bruno Armirail, 4th to 35 seconds from Remco Evenepoel. Admittedly. he took advantage of a less unfavorable wind, but he has long remained two seconds from the Italian Edoardo Affini.