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Tadej Pogačar wins the 108th Tour de France.
The 22-year-old Slovenian was unbeatable, especially in the mountains like here at the legendary Tourmalet.
The fight for the yellow jersey became almost boring.
But the Tour of France also told other stories.
Photo:
ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT / AFP
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On June 26th, 184 drivers started to reach Paris after 3414.4 kilometers.
But on the very first day there was a serious mass fall because a spectator had held a cardboard sign reading "Allez Opi-Omi" on the track.
A little later dozens of drivers fell again.
Marc Hirschi was one of the drivers who ended up in the ditch.
Photo: ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT / AFP
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43 drivers gave up the tour before Paris.
Falls and injuries were among the reasons, but also better preparation for the Olympic Games in Tokyo, which are due in a few days.
Photo:
Anne-Christine Poujoulat / POOL / EPA
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4/18
The weather was very bad on many days, the professionals had to fight with rain and cold.
For Mathieu van der Poel, the drudgery was worth it.
The Dutchman put on the yellow jersey for a few days and dedicated the Maillot Jaune to his grandfather, the late cycling legend Raymond Poulidor.
Photo:
CHRISTOPHE PETIT-TESSON / EPA
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On the eighth stage, Tadej Pogačar grabbed the yellow jersey.
The defending champion attacked at the Col de Romme.
When Richard Carapaz tried to pursue him, Pogačar looked back - and then drove away.
Photo: THOMAS SAMSON / AFP
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Sometimes the peloton drove through blooming landscapes ...
Photo: GUILLAUME HORCAJUELO / EPA
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... sometimes through the scree of the mythical Mont Ventoux, reminiscent of a moon scene.
Wout van Aert, one of the most versatile drivers in the world, won this stage.
He celebrated three daily victories: in a mountain stage, in the time trial and in the sprint in Paris.
Photo: David Stockman / dpa
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Nils Politt achieved the only German stage win with his solo ride.
Photo: DAVID STOCKMAN / imago images / Belga
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Sprinter Mark Cavendish had his second spring.
The Brit was unexpectedly nominated for the Tour de France, then won four stages and the green jersey.
With a total of 34 tour stage wins, he now shares the record with Eddy Merckx, who visited him last week.
Photo: Jan De Meuleneir / imago images / Panoramic International
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10/18
A doping raid occurred on the Bahrain Victorious team: As part of preliminary investigations, emergency services searched the hotel and the team bus.
Two days later, Matej Mohorič won a stage - and made a controversial gesture.
He put his finger to his mouth as a sign that criticism should be silent.
Photo: Pete Goding / dpa
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André Greipel announced on Saturday that he would end his career after the season.
On Sunday he then drove his personal Tour d'Honneur on the Tour of France.
Photo: THOMAS SAMSON / AFP
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Arrival in Paris: Tadej Pogačar led his team along the Arc de Triomphe.
Photo:
THOMAS SAMSON / AFP
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Franck Bonnamour was named the most combative driver on the tour.
Photo: STEPHANE MAHE / REUTERS
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Bahrain Victorious won the team championship.
Photo: THOMAS SAMSON / AFP
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Pogačar got on the podium three times.
He won the white jersey of the best young driver.
Photo: BENOIT TESSIER / REUTERS
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And the mountain jersey of the best climber.
Photo: BENOIT TESSIER / REUTERS
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In between, sprinter Mark Cavendish picked up the green jersey.
Photo: Daniel Cole / AP
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And then Tadej Pogačar was allowed to lift the trophy into the sky of Paris.
The Dane Jonas Vingegaard came second, Richard Carapaz from Ecuador third.
Photo:
Daniel Cole / AP
