"Unfortunately I've got some pretty disappointing news to share this morning," Froome said in a video message. "A test has revealed that I have contracted Covid so I'm not going to be taking the start today.
"I'm really disappointed not to be able to roll into Paris and finish off this Tour de France, it's been an extremely special race for us as a team and me personally. I've really been finding my legs again and want to thank everyone for the support.
"I'm going to head home, switch off for a few days and refocus on being ready for the Vuelta a España."
A cruel end, but we'll all remember Alpe d'Huez for a very long time...
Today's ascent up Hautacam is the last climbing challenge of @LeTour for the men. Riders will need to conquer the Col d'Aubisque and the Col de Spandelles before the final climb, which covers 13.41 km at an average incline of 7.74%. Follow along at: https://t.co/09B9vnCM82pic.twitter.com/vGD2vSeJm9
— Strava (@Strava) July 21, 2022
Here's the summit finish brought to life courtesy of the good people over at Strava. Yesterday's winner Tadej Pogačar has uploaded his win to the ride-sharing app...
Unusual briefing this morning...
As we were briefing a man decided to sneak into the back yard (watched by officers being briefed from the 2nd floor) and attempt to steal one of the chained pushbikes.
Probably not the best place to try and steal from 🤔
One in custody.
— CI John Owen (@NewcastleLPT) July 20, 2022
A man in Newcastle-under-Lyme, in Staffordshire, has been arrested after he attempted to steal a bike from council headquarters... only to be spotted mid-theft by police officers inside in their morning meeting.
A police spokesperson told the Stoke Sentinel: "Shortly before 9am this morning (20 July) officers at Castle House on Barracks Road in Newcastle-under-Lyme detained a man.
"A 41-year-old man of no fixed address was arrested on suspicion of attempted theft. He was later released under investigation pending further enquiries."
[📷 Unipublic: Graham Watson]
Philippe Gilbert is retiring at the end of the season, and is throwing a retirement party that only a five-time Monument winner and former world champ can. Phil's Last Ride, on Saturday 15 October will include a "cycling tour for the general public", presentation of "official tribute book" to be signed by the adoring masses and a farewell criterium... all based around the Cauberg climb where Gilbert dominated Amstel Gold Race and won his rainbow jersey.
Now that's a send off...
It's time for the toughest Pyrenean stage of this year's race, the final chance for the main players to move up (or slide down) the GC in the mountains. After today we've got one long classic third week breakaway/sprint day, an individual time trial and the final day procession in Paris. If you want to make a move, it has to be today...
Or how the stage will look for polka dot jersey-wearing Simon Geschke...
POV - Stage 18 when you are Simon Geschke pic.twitter.com/9jcgFQFuK3
— Always bet the break (@BreakAlways) July 20, 2022
Will it be one for the breakaway? Will Thibaut Pinot finally get his win? Or will Tadej attack Jonas all the way up Hautacam? Danes in yellow have history up there...(road.cc Ryan: "I'm sure Jonas will be delighted with the comparison")...check the replies to this tweet for more than a few questions about this post...
Michael Rasmussen and Bjarne Riis won on Aubisque/Hautacam wearing the Maillot Jaune. Tomorrow, Jonas Vingegaard will ride both these climbs in Yellow, another historic day for Danish cycling. 🇩🇰 #TDF2022pic.twitter.com/h5YznBSeLt
— Mihai Simion (@faustocoppi60) July 20, 2022
Prediction time...
I'm saying another day for Tadej, but Jonas to keep yellow...
My life. pic.twitter.com/c8TrLfckgW
— Geraint Thomas (@geraintthomas) July 20, 2022
Picture the scene: you're called Geraint Thomas, but don't possess the same Tour de France-winning abilities. You hop on Twitter in the early days and sign up as @geraintthomas (as you would), only to be bombarded by fans, haters and messages from pro riders each July...
— Geraint Thomas (@geraintthomas) July 20, 2022
Well, that's exactly the position @geraintthomas, a lecturer in Visual Effects & Motion Graphics at the University of South Wales finds himself in annually. He even went viral back in 2018 when G won the race...
You’re welcome pic.twitter.com/Xs3i0OhROB
— Geraint Thomas (@GeraintThomas86) July 30, 2018
Now think how @tadejpogacar feels...
Happy to take another step closer to the podium today. This Tour is savage. Chapeau Jonas & @tadejpogacar you boys are flying 🎩 #TDF2022pic.twitter.com/ihnwZnkkTZ
— Geraint Thomas (@GeraintThomas86) July 20, 2022
And (the real) Tadej returned the favour, thanking @geraintthomas, simultaneously blowing everyone's minds and sending Cycling Twitter into meltdown. It's tweetception...
But I'm n... oh never mind, you're welcome. https://t.co/oR1mhmPaQ7
— Geraint Thomas (@geraintthomas) July 21, 2022
My brain...
— Geraint Thomas (@geraintthomas) July 21, 2022
And having written all of that we've just realised Pog tagged @gerainthomas, not @geraintthomas...THERE'S ANOTHER ONE...
Will the real Geraint Thomas please stand up?