From the grand depart on the west coast to the Alps in the East, through the Massif Central and over the rugged Pyrenees in the south, this year’s Tour de France was again a photographer’s dream.
Below is a selection of images that tell the story of Geraint Thomas’ first victory in a grand tour after three weeks and 3 351km.
Stage 1 (July 7): 201km – Noirmoutier-En-L’Ïle – Fontenay-Le-Comte
Quick-Step Floors’ Fernando Gaviria won the opening stage in Fontenay-Le-Comte and earned the first yellow jersey of this year’s Tour de France.
- Fernando Gaviria after winning stage one of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- Bora-Hansgrohe’s Peter Sagan won the 2017 Paris-Roubaix. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- The peloton in action during stage one of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- The peloton in action during stage one of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- Warren Barguil during stage one of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
Stage 2 (July 8): 182.5km – Mouilleron-Saint Germain – La Roche-Sur-Yon
Bora-Hansgrohe’s Peter Sagan won in a sprint finish to claim victory on stage two of the Tour de France in La Roche-Sur-Yon.
- Geraint Thomas on stage two of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- The organisers of the Tour de France have chosen the teams that will take part in the 108th edition in 2021. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- Team Sky riders during stage two of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- A fan cheers on riders during stage two of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- An aerial view of riders during stage two of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Bruno Bade
Stage 3 (July 9): 35.5km – Cholet (TTT)
BMC won the team time-trial on stage three of the Tour de France, which resulted in Greg van Avermaet taking over the yellow jersey.
- Fernando Gaviria in action on stage three of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- Groupama-FDJ on stage three of the Tour de France, which featured a team time-trial. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- LottoNL-Jumbo during the team time-trial on stage three of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- Mitchelton-Scott during the team time-trial on stage three of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- Movistar Team in action during the team time-trial on stage three of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
Stage 4 (July 10): 195km – La Baule – Sarzeau
Quick-Step’s Fernando took the win on stage four of the Tour de France in Sarzeau.
- Greg van Avermaet, pictured during the Tour de France, finished third on stage three of Tour de Yorkshire in Scarborough, England, today. The stage was won by Alexander Kamp with Christopher Lawless in second. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- Peter Sagan interacts with fans on stage four of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- Team Dimension Data during stage four of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- Riders crossing a bridge on stage four of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- A bunch of riders in action on stage four of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
Stage 5 (July 11): 204.5km – Lorient – Quimper
Bora-Hansgrohe’s Peter Sagan claimed his second stage win of this year’s Tour de France after day five in Quimper.
- BMC at the head of the peloton on stage five of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- Greg van Avermaet in action on stage five of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- Peter Sagan on stage five of the 2018 Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- Direct Energie’s Sylvain Chavanel in action on stage five of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- A bunch of riders during stage five of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
Stage 6 (July 12): 181km – Brest – Mûr de Bretagne Guerlédan
UAE Team Emirates’ Dan Martin won stage six of the Tour de France atop the Mur-de-Bretagne.
- BMC Racing Team’s Greg van Avermaet during stage six of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- Bora-Hansgrohe’s Peter Sagan. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- AG2R La Mondiale’s Romain Bardet greets fans during stage six of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- Fans cheer on riders during stage six of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- The peloton in action during stage six of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
Stage 7 (July 13): 231km – Fougères – Chartres
LottoNL-Jumbo’s Dylan Groenewegen retained his overall lead after winning the seventh stage of the Tour de France in Chartres today.
- LottoNL-Jumbo’s Dylan Groenewegen on stage seven of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Bruno Bade
- Peter Sagan in the green jersey on stage seven of the 2018 Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- A bunch of riders during stage seven of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- Fans greet riders on stage seven of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- Riders in action during stage seven of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
Stage 8 (July 14): 181km – Dreux – Amiens Métropole
Dylan Groenewegen claimed victory in a fast 181km stage on day eight of the Tour de France in Amiens Métropole.
- Yellow-jersey wearer Greg van Avermaet of BMC Racing Team spotted in the peloton on stage eight of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- Team Sunweb’s Tom Dumoulin is all smiles on stage eight of the 2018 Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- Riders in action on stage eight of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- Direct Energie’s Fabien Grellier during stage eight of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- The peloton in action during stage eight of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
Stage 9 (July 15): 156.5km – Arras Citadelle – Roubaix
Degenkolb (Trek-Segafredo)’s John Degenkolb won stage nine of the Tour de France in Roubaix.
- Bahrain-Merida’s Domenico Pozzovivo and Direct Energie’s Thomas Boudat on stage nine of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- LottoNL-Jumbo’s Dylan Groenewegen suffers a fall on stage nine of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- John Degenkolb after stage nine of the 2018 Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- Astana Pro Team’s Michael Valgren after a crash on stage nine of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- The peloton during stage nine of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
Stage 10 (July 17): 158.5km – Annecy – Le Grand-Bornand
Quick-Step Floors’ Julian Alaphilippe took his first Tour de France stage win after stage 10 in Le Grand-Bornand.
- BMC’s Greg van Avermaet leads a bunch of riders during stage 10 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- Quick-Step Floors’ Julian Alaphilippe passes fans during stage 10 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- Deceuninck-Quick-Step’s Julian Alaphilippe (pictured) came second at the De Brabantse Pijl in Overijse, Belgium, today. The stage was won by Corendon-Circus’ Mathieu van der Poel. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- Slovakian star Peter Sagan has elected to delay the start of his 2021 season and will not take to the start of Strade Bianche on Saturday. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- The head of the peloton on stage 10 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
Stage 11 (July 18): 108.5km – Albertville – La Rosière
Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas claimed victory on stage 11 of the Tour de France at La Rosière and took the overall lead.
- Team Fortuneo-Samsic’s Amael Moinard on stage 11 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- Team Sky’s Chris Froome signs autographs for fans during stage 11 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- BMC Racing Team’s Greg van Avermaet on stage 11 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- Team Katusha Alpecin’s Rick Zabel after stage 11 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- The peloton pass beautiful scenery during stage 11 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
Stage 12 (July 19): 175.5km – Bourg-Saint-Maurice Les Arc – Alpe d’Huez
Geraint Thomas won his second stage in a row after stage 12 of the Tour de France at Alpe d’Huez.
- Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas in action on stage 12 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- Trek–Segafredo’s Koen de Kort passes fans during stage 12 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- Team LottoNL-Jumbo’s Steven Kruijswijk pass fans during stage 12 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- The peloton cross a bridge on stage 12 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- A solo cyclist during stage 12 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
Stage 13 (July 20): 169.5km – Bourg d’Oisans – Valence
Bora-Hansgrohe’s Peter Sagan crossed the line first on stage 13 of the Tour de France in Valence.
- Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas waves to fans on stage 13 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- Movistar’s Nairo Quintana greets fans on stage 13 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- The press interviews Bora-Hansgrohe’s Peter Sagan after winning stage 13 of the 2018 Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- Seven-time Tour de France green jersey winner, Peter Sagan, has tested positive for Covid-19. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- Riders in action during stage 13 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
Stage 14 (July 21) 188km – Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux – Mende
Astana’s Oscar Fraile claimed victory on stage 14 of the Tour de France at the airstrip above Mende in the Massif Central.
- Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas with fellow teammates during stage 14 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- Bahrain-Merida’s Gorka Izaguirre Insausti breaks away from the peloton on stage 14 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- BMC Racing Team’s Greg van Avermaet on stage 14 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- Astana’s Omar Fraile during stage 14 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- Riders in action during stage 14 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
Stage 15 (July 22): 181.5km – Millau – Carcassonne
Astana Pro’s Magnus Cort Nielsen was victorius on stage 15 of the Tour de France in Carcassonne.
- UAE Team Emirates’ Daniel Martin takes a selfie with fans on stage 15 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas in the peloton on stage 15 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- Journalists interview Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas on stage 15 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- Astana Pro Team’s Magnus Cort Nielsen on stage 15 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- The peloton during stage 15 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
Stage 16 (July 24): 218km – Carcassonne – Bagnères-de-Luchon
Julian Alaphilippe won stage 16 of the Tour de France in Bagnères-de-Luchon.
- Chris Froome (pictured at last year’s Tour de France) will return to racing at the Criterium du Dauphine, which starts in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes on Sunday. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- Bora-Hansgrohe’s Peter Sagan and Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas have a chat before the start of stage 16 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- Quick-Step Floors’ Philippe Gilbert and Julian Alaphilippe in action during stage 16 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- Quick-Step Floors’ Philippe Gilbert after suffering a fall on stage 16 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- The peloton cross a bridge during stage 16 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
Stage 17 (July 25): 65km – Bagnères-de-Luchon – Saint-Lary-Soulan (Col de Portet)
Movistar’s Nairo Quintana claimed victory atop the Col de Portet in stage 17 of the Tour de France.
- Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas and Egan Bernal (right) during stage 17 of the Tour de France last year. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas in yellow during stage 17 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- Movistar’s Nairo Quintana and Team Sky’s Chris Froome before stage 17 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- Movistar’s Nairo Quintana in action during stage 17 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- Team Sunweb’s Tom Dumoulin on stage 17 of the 2018 Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
Stage 18 (July 26): 171km – Trie-sur-Baïse – Pau
Groupama FDJ’s Arnaud Démare performed a winning sprint in stage 18 of the Tour de France in Pau.
- Groupama-FDJ’s Arnaud Demare embraces a fellow rider after stage 18 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas in yellow during stage 18 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- Team Dimension Data’s Jay Thomson, pictured during the Tour de France, is one of the South Africans who have been included in the Dimension Data squad for tomorrow’s Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- Direct Energie’s Sylvain Chavanel after stage 18 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- The peloton in action on stage 18 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
Stage 19 (July 27): 200.5km – Lourdes – Laruns
LottoNL-Jumbo’s Primož Roglič rode to victory in stage 19 of the Tour de France in Laruns.
- Mitchelton-Scott’s Adam Yates (pictured) won stage six of the Tour of the Basque Country while Ion Izagirre Insausti claimed the title in Eibar, Spain, today. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas celebrates after stage 19 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Bruno Bade
- Team Ineos has sprung something of a surprise with its Grand Tour plans for the 2021 season. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- Fans cheer as riders pass them during stage 19 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- The peloton in action during stage 19 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
Stage 20 (July 28): 31km – Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle – Espelette (ITT)
Team Sunweb’s Tom Dumoulin won the individual time-trial on the penultimate Tour de France stage in Espelette.
- Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas during his individual time-trial on stage 20 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- Jonathan Castroviejo, pictured during last year’s Tour de France, won the elite men’s time-trial at the Spanish Road Championships yesterday. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- Quick-Step Floors’ Julian Alaphilippe in the polka dot jersey during stage 20 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Bruno Bade
- Team Fortuneo-Samsic’s Kevin Ledanois before his individual time-trial on stage 20 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- A rider gears up for his individual time-trial on stage 20 of the Tour de France. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
Stage 21 (July 29): 116km – Houilles – Paris
On the final Tour de France stage, Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas became the first Welsh male to win when the 21-stage event concluded in Paris at the Champs-Élysées.
- Team Sky’s Chris Froome congratulates teammate Geraint Thomas after his Tour de France win. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas and Bora-Hansgrohe’s Peter Sagan shake hands before the start of the final Tour de France stage. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas interviewed by the press before the start of the final Tour de France stage. Photo: ASO/Pauline Ballet
- AG2R La Mondiale’s Pierre Latour in the white jersey, Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas in the yellow jersey, Quick-Step Floors’ Julian Alaphilippe in the polka dot jersey and Bora-Hansgrohe’s Peter Sagan in the green jersey on the final Tour de France stage. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway
- Celebrations underway during the final Tour de France stage in Paris. Photo: ASO/Alex Broadway