Today is, of course, la fete nationale francaise: Bastille Day.
Well, the French have two things to cheer on this day.
One is that one of their own, Warren Barguil, won today's stage of the Tour de France. In addition, he now wears the polka-dot jersey, awarded to the leading climber in the race.
And what's the other? Well, it depends on your point of view, but I'm sure most of Barguil's compatriots would agree: Donald Trump has gone home.
These days, being shocked when The Orange One commits a faux pas is a bit like just having discovered the Rolling Stones. So nobody was surprised at his awkward handshake with Brigitte Macron, the French President's wife. But one can be forgiven for expressing consternation after he remarked on her "good physical shape," if only because he made the comment while standing next to his wife.
Well, maybe. After all, we are talking about a man who said, "If Ivanka weren't my daughter, I'd be dating her."
Anyway, the French actually have some more reasons for optimism. Another Gallic rider, Romain Bardet, won yesterday's stage and moved up to third place overall. He finished second in last year's Tour, so hope--and expectations--for him are great.
Will the festive mood continue all the way to the race's end? Who knows? But, with Bardet's and Barguil's stage victories, and the guy with bigger eyebrows than hands gone from their country, life is pretty good in l'hexagone.
Well, the French have two things to cheer on this day.
One is that one of their own, Warren Barguil, won today's stage of the Tour de France. In addition, he now wears the polka-dot jersey, awarded to the leading climber in the race.
And what's the other? Well, it depends on your point of view, but I'm sure most of Barguil's compatriots would agree: Donald Trump has gone home.
These days, being shocked when The Orange One commits a faux pas is a bit like just having discovered the Rolling Stones. So nobody was surprised at his awkward handshake with Brigitte Macron, the French President's wife. But one can be forgiven for expressing consternation after he remarked on her "good physical shape," if only because he made the comment while standing next to his wife.
Well, maybe. After all, we are talking about a man who said, "If Ivanka weren't my daughter, I'd be dating her."
Anyway, the French actually have some more reasons for optimism. Another Gallic rider, Romain Bardet, won yesterday's stage and moved up to third place overall. He finished second in last year's Tour, so hope--and expectations--for him are great.
Will the festive mood continue all the way to the race's end? Who knows? But, with Bardet's and Barguil's stage victories, and the guy with bigger eyebrows than hands gone from their country, life is pretty good in l'hexagone.
It seems to me more often than not a frenchman seems to pull out a win on Bastille Day. Is this some gentlemans agreement to let the frogs have their day or are the frenchmen genuinely trying harder? I don't have the patience to research this, but with your encyclopaedic knowledge of all things cycling I thought you might know.
ReplyDeleteAs for Peter Pumpkinhead, what an embarassment! Every time he opens his mouth he weakens the nation.
Phillip--It wouldn't surprise me if there were some sort of "gentlemen's agreement". I have long heard and read stories of riders allowing each other to win stages or helping each other to place higher or gain time so that they can at least win some prize money if they can't win outright.
ReplyDeleteThen again, French riders may well be more motivated on Bastille Day.
As for PP: I must say that sometimes he outdoes himself, which is no small feat!