This will be Geraint Thomas's final Tour de France. The 2018 champion turned 39 on 25 May, and plans to retire at the end of the season, closing out a remarkable two-decade career. He aims to bow out while still riding well,

Aero equipment is everywhere at the Tour de France — you don't necessarily need to have a WorldTour equipment budget to get in on the gains.

A three-week Grand Tour will always contain natural ebbs and flows, and, for much of Monday’s stage between Valenciennes and Dunkirk, it looked as if the peloton had declared an unofficial rest day, with the riders happy to cruise back towards the coast after a weekend of wind, rain and intensity.

Geraint Thomas has all but confirmed he will ride the Tour de France one final time, posting on Instagram his ritual pre-race haircuit selfie. Ineos Grenadiers are still yet to announce their eight-man squad for the race, which begins on Saturday, which has led to speculation over the make-up of the team, and also what is delaying the announcement.

With other nations now in the ascendancy, Thomas is the last man standing from a nation that once dominated the Tour de France podium.

Geraint Thomas first rode the Tour de France back in 2007, aboard a Cannondale as part of the Barloworld squad. For most people though his racing days are so deeply intertwined with that of Team Sky, and lately Ineos Grenadiers, that it's strange to think of him not throwing a leg over a Pinarello Dogma F.

Geraint Thomas will aim to be "competitive and go for a stage" at his final Tour de France, alongside helping his Ineos Grenadiers GC hope Carlos Rodríguez.