1607.16 TOUR WEEK 2

Week 2 had an explosive start with Chris Froome amazing everyone with a stage win on Saturday and controversy over his 'punch' when an over enthusiastic fan got too close. 

We went into the first rest day on Monday with 3 of the 4 jerseys on the backs of British riders (Froome-yellow, Yates-white, Cav-green).

The week saw Mark Cavendish lose the green to Peter Segan but the yellow and white were retained by Froome and Yates.... but not without drama.

Nairo Quintana failed to ignite the expected battle with Froome and Alberto Contador abandoned the race.

The biggest drama happened on the iconic mountain finish of Mont Vento on Thursday. A crash within the last 2km involving a camera motorcycle left Froome without a bike.

Photo: CyclingNews.com

He was forced to leave his broken bike (run over by another motorcycle) behind and run up the mountain in a finish to a stage that had already been shortened because of high winds.

Photo: CyclingNews.com

By the time Froome got a replacement bike it had cost him more than a minute against his rivals for the overall in the Tour de France, the race officials later reversed the time gaps due to the crowd-induced chaos, keeping the Team Sky rider in the maillot jaune.

Chris Froome cemented his lead in Friday's time trial and goes into the final week looking strong with a 1 minute 47 second lead.

But as much as the Tour de France gives me pleasure it is tainted with sadness with the terrorist attack on families celebrating Bastille Day in Nice. My thoughts are with those affected by this. This year is unfortunately going to be remembered for the hatred of a few against the innocent. We must continue despite these attacks on our way of life. Ride on my friends...