The 2019 Tour de France has ended, but we are at the start of the Egan Bernal era of cycling.  At only 22 years old, he is expected to be a strong competitor for years to come.  The final stage to Paris is largely ceremonial but an opportunity for one final sprint,  This year it was won by Caleb Ewan, his third stage win in this Tour.  Now we experience Tour withdrawal while we wait for next year.  

They say that Julian Alaphilippe is the gift to this year's Tour that keeps on giving.  He showed that he can climb in really big mountains with the best riders and commentators are increasingly saying his total win is sustainable, not just one more day in the yellow jersey.   Some of the contenders had bad legs after yesterday's time trial including the defending champion, Geraint Thomas, who lost time, but the teams will be a big factor.  There is still a lot to come.  

​The Friends of the Green Bay Trail is a 10-year-old volunteer managed non-profit 501(c)3 organization.  At the July 16, 2019 meeting of the Evanston Bicycle Club we learned from volunteers Betsy Leibson and Ann Reilly about their work to remove invasive species, restore native plants, and create a healthy habitat. 

​This was the longest stage.  After a few hills at the beginning, it was flat, and the peleton rolled at a pedestrian pace until last mile with an exciting 46 mph sprint finish and a new stage winner by only a few centimeters.  There was no change to the overall standings.  A few crashes occurred, reportedly, when riders were caught napping.  If you are fascinated by how much the riders eat,  it is still not an exact science since the Sunweb team reported they are measuring and counting every calorie the team consumes to gather data for a nutrition study.  

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The 106th edition of the Tour de France began today with a celebration of the 100th year of the yellow jersey and a tribute to Eddy Mercx for 50 years since his first win.  The ride began in Brussels as a tribute to Eddy and will spend 2 days there before journeying to France.  They say the crowds are larger outside France, so there was a lot of energy from the fans.  There are new riders this year coming from  cyclocross where training involves learning how to perform at high intensity for 1 hour or more which is a good foundation for the Tour.  In the first stage riders are fresh but nervous so there is traditionally a lot of crashes.  Best practice is to try to stay out of trouble in the front.  There was a feel good story when rider Mike Teuissen of Team Jumbo-Visma stepped up after his team mate crashed to win the first Tour for the Netherlands in 30 years.