Unfortunately I must separate from my new bike, it was only a short affair. A wonderful day in yellow is coming to an end. Actually, it is just like last year. I won the first stage, took yellow and then promptly lost it on a hard stage. But that is better than never having worn yellow at all.

Actually, it wasn’t entirely like on Corsica, because I wasn’t stung by a bee today.

I told my mechanic jokingly that he should just put the bike away until need it again. In light of the 20 minutes I lost today, that might be a difficult,or we might even say impossible, thing to do. No, it is no longer possible.

I enjoyed the day, the fans were fantastic, even when it was dangerous again at times, and I am looking forward to tomorrow. Winning in London wouldn’t be so bad.

Photos: roth-foto.de