Berlin – They have become humble, the French in the past 36 years since Bernard Hinault won the Tour de France, as the last professional cyclist from the country of the most famous tour in the world. They have come to terms with the overwhelming power of other nations, other protagonists, possibly other methods that have become known, for example with the British overall winners Bradley Wiggins and Christopher Froome, who have been documented in a court of law like the Texan Lance Armstrong. You have hoped too often and have been disappointed, like at this year’s Tour of France, when one of your compatriots came second in the overall classification: Guillaume Martin, born on June 9, 1993 in Paris. On Sunday, however, before the tour was closed, he slipped to ninth place. He continues the race 7:58 minutes behind the first in the classification, Tadej Pogadcar from Slovenia.
This Wednesday the French celebrate their national holiday, July 14th, and as always with their national shrine, the tour that traditionally rolls across the big stage in July, they wait on this date for a stage success in bleu blanc rouge, in blue and white and red. The last time Warren Barguils achieved this was four years ago. This time the setting is particularly demanding, the last stage set 16 kilometers long and steep. It leads up to the Col de Portet, the 2215 meter high Pyrenean summit. “There will be more opportunities,” said Guillaume Martin, which was his overall ranking right after his advance. “I will continue.”
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