Are you experienced?

Beneath the surface of the 2023 Tour, which saw the same two riders end the race on the top steps of the podium for the third year running (something unprecedented in 120 years), there was an unexpected and rather uplifting narrative. And it ran counter to the perceived direction of travel.

- NED BOULTING

Much of the attention over the last few years has been about youth. As we watched the invigoratingly unconventional Tadej Pogačar animate the moribund formality of the final stage by his repeated attacks, we were also seeing him in the white jersey for the final time. Next year, on his fifth Tour, he will finally no longer qualify for the Classement des Jeunes.