Galibier outlined the current hierarchy at the Tour de France – Philippa York analysis

The pessimism expressed by many before the peloton rolled out of Florence has thankfully failed to materialise, and it looks increasingly likely that the 111th edition of the Tour de France is not going to be the dull procession many had predicted.

Even better for the French, who again have no overall contender, they haven’t had to endure days of agony wondering if one of the homegrown riders was going to be victorious. That first yellow jersey for Romain Bardet was just what was needed to perk up interest in the event and Kévin Vauquelin’s victory the following day added to the realisation that a Grand Départ on foreign soil isn’t such a bad thing after all.