Rolling report on the 170km Bastille Day stage to BrioudeEmail Tom or tweet him with your thoughts on the stage 11.55am BST Some Frenchman-in-yellow facts: Alaphilippe is the 32nd Frenchman to be wearing yellow at the start of the race on Bastille Day. The last two to lead on 14 July were Tony Gallopin in 2014 and Thomas Voeckler three years earlier, though the former only had it for one day. 11.43am BST Some pre-racing reading for your delectation. Here’s William Fotheringham on French hopes:When the tide runs his way, Pinot looks more than strong enough, as he did at the end of last year when he won two stages in the Tour of Spain and the Giro di Lombardia. So far in this Tour it has all gone his way. While Bardet’s AG2R squad flopped, the Groupama-FDJ team performed above expectations in the first Sunday’s team time trial, putting him on the front foot immediately, and this was followed by a strong showing behind the victorious Alaphilippe in Épernay, where he gained five seconds on Thomas. Slender pickings, but it gave him an advantage. His young, talented climbing teammate David Gaudu is also in sparkling form. Related: Geraint Thomas battles back after suffering second Tour de France crash 11.39am BST General classification – how they stand:And here’s the points situation 11.35am BST 1.03am BST Tom will be here shortly to take you through stage nine. Continue readingread full article
