French riders were at the forefront on 2019 Tour de France, with Julian Alaphilippe putting on a show and parading the Yellow Jersey throughout the country. In the high mountains, the Gallic contingent also displayed significant talent and, although he lost time after being caught out by crosswinds on the stage finishing in Albi, Thibaut Pinot showed himself to be on top form and at the top of his game on the Tourmalet stage. In the last two kilometres, with Geraint Thomas starting to lose ground, the FDJ rider attacked and managed to steal a march on all his rivals in the last two hundred metres, as if riding on the crest of the overexcited encouragements bellowed out by his manager Marc Madiot. At the finishing line, the French enjoyed a one-two thanks to Julian Alaphilippe who dominated the stage. The entire country started to believe in Pinot’s chances of victory…