There isn't much you can say about Le Tour that hasn't already been written a million times over. The world's biggest free sporting event is a circus that sweeps up more and more fans, stage by stage, year by year.
It's big enough to command the attentions from major high quality sponsors such as Skoda who, since 2004, have supported the young rider jersey and partnered the Tour de France. Their association with cycling has grown by the year and Condor are proud to have a brand that believes so heavily in the sport as part our team, Rapha Condor Sharp.
Skoda took the time to take us inside the circus on stage 15. The stage saw Thomas Voeckler retain the yellow jersey to the delight of everyone in France. Mark Cavendish and the organised HTC train took victory in the sprint and Mr Cavendish keeps the green sprinters jersey in the Alpes.
Fans lined the route for 190km waiting for ten seconds of cycling. The race, including the break, cars, team cars, support cars and main bunch stretched nearly 2km in length.The publicity caravan that had driven past hours earlier had the most dramatic and detailed floats you can imagine. At the finish huge free TV screens showed the race.
The only thing left to say is, when you watch the television coverage you get inspired but it doesn't begin to really scratch the surface. Try and visit the Tour de France, if you can. The atmosphere, the passion - there is nothing quite like it.
Vive le Tour!
Images from the stage are on our Flickr.
