1. Rohan Dennis abandons mid-stage
Topping the list of course is Rohan Dennis abandoning the stage with some 80kms still left to race. The team did not initially know where he was, the Australian finally re-emerging at the finish line in Bagneres-de-Bigorre where SBS' Sophie Smith and her cameraman captured this vision:
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Then they joined the scrum as the head sports director at Bahrain Merida tried to make sense of it all. Making matters worse for the team, it appeared the Bahrain Merida bus hit a Jumbo Visma van.
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Late evening France time, Rohan Dennis released a statement via Bahrain Merida stating:
‘I am very disappointed to leave the race at this point. Obviously the individual time trial tomorrow had been a big goal for me and the team, but given my current feeling it was the right decision to withdraw earlier today.
I wish my teammates the very best for the remainder of the race and would like to thank all the Tour de France fans who cheered for me, at home and on the roadside, since Brussels.
I will hopefully be back competing in this great race again over the coming seasons."
But perhaps he was just tired especially when he faced a tough ITT he was expected to perform strongly in. Check you out his pre-stage 12 interview:
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2. La chute, Caleb Ewan, l'equipe Soudal Lotto
Focusing on Simon Clarke at the front of the race and the larger breakaway pursuing him, the motos didn't capture vision of Caleb Ewan coming undone on the descent of the Peyresourde.
Crikey! But the Aussie speedster was thankfully OK and back on his bike quickly.
3. Thieves steal Soudal Lotto equipment
Further pain for the Belgian squad. After the heights of winning with Ewan on Stage 11, the team plunged to a low with news $80,000 worth of its video/photography equipment was stolen from the Holiday Inn Blagnac room of the team cameraperson.
No more YouTube videos for you!
4. Bora-hansgrohe soigneur comes a cropper...but he's OK
This Bora-hansgrohe soigneur was bowled over in a feed zone by a CCC rider. It wouldn't have tickled:
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The team later posted an update of his condition:
5. Former Man U manager spotted in the crowd
With cycling AND football in SBS' DNA, it was no surprise SBS' own Christophe Mallet spotted former Manchester United manager, Louis van Gaal and had a quick chat:
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Van Gaal was also Jumbo Visma's VIP guest in the team car.
6. Paris podium in sight for Mitchelton-Scott owner Gerry Ryan
In a post-stage interview with Dave Mckenzie, Mitchelton-Scott team owner Gerry Ryan said while a second stage victory at this year's Tour was a nice bonus, there's only one thing on his and the team's mind:
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