Stage 13: Bastille Day in the Tour de France did not belong to the French: like last year, when Tom Pidcock won on Alpe d’Huez, it belonged to Ineos Grenadiers.

Compared to their strength in years past, Ineos came into this Tour looking like a blunted knife or a team without a plan: Pidcock not yet positioning himself to race at the highest level in the GC; Carlos Rodriguez placing well, but anonymously; Egan Bernal not back to his best after his terrible injury.

Compared to their strength in years past, Ineos came into this Tour looking like a blunted knife or a team without a plan: Pidcock not yet positioning himself to race at the highest level in the GC; Carlos Rodriguez placing well, but anonymously; Egan Bernal not back to his best after his terrible injury.

But on the fearsome summit finish of Grand Colombier, Michal Kwiatkowski saved the race for the Grenadiers. Although he has won a Tour stage before, Kwiato is known for excelling at one-day races – Milan-San Remo, Amstel Gold, Strade Bianche, and worn the rainbow bands of the world champion – and it would have been a brave pundit to bet on him for the win.

But Kwiato – at this period in his career riding as a ‘super domestique’ took his destiny in his own hands, and soloed past the break early in the climb. For his panache on these devious slopes, he was rewarded with a prestigious win, redeeming the mountain and the Tour itself for Ineos Grenadiers. Chapeau!