ST.-JEAN-DE-MAURIENNE, France — This was supposed to be a breakthrough year for French riders at the Tour de France. But instead of building on their success from last year, the home teams have generally met disappointment.
Success, however, came France’s way again Thursday, the 20th racing day of the Tour. Stage 18 finished with a duel between two French riders and brought France its second win of this Tour.
In the end, Romain Bardet of the AG2R team was greeted by a chorus of plastic trumpets as he crossed the finish line alone. Pierre Rolland of Europcar then appeared by himself, his tongue stuck out in an indication of the heat and his exertion, 33 seconds later.