Defining moments

The highs and lows that kept us all captivated

- Peter Cossins

STAGE 1

FAN KICKS OFF CRASH-FEST

“I think as many as 50 per cent of the riders in the bunch went down in the opening three days,” Ben O’Connor said at the end of the opening week. The Australian, caught in the race’s second big crash, sustained a shoulder injury and a deep cut on his forearm that required a dozen stitches. Pre-Tour favorites Primož RogliÄ and Geraint Thomas both hit the deck on stage three. The Slovenian quit prior to stage nine; Thomas soldiered on, reduced to a bit-player. Miguel Ángel López lost any GC hopes, while Bahrain's Victorious leader Jack Haig was abandoned after a horrific crash near the end of stage three. These incidents radically skewed the GC contest, forcing many teams to change tactics before the race was even halfway through its first week.

STAGE 11

VAN AERT TAMES VENTOUX

Just 24 hours after he finished second in a bunch sprint, Wout Van Aert held off the best climbers in the race to win the Ventoux double day. His fourth win at the Tour helped once again to salvage Jumbo’s race and proved that he is a rider who will shape it for years to come.

STAGE 8

POGAÄŒAR TEARS UP THE RULE BOOK

Stage eight proved the Tour’s most decisive for the GC, with Tadej PogaÄar taking the yellow jersey after riding away from his rivals over the final two passes.