The Tour de France rolled out of the Atlantic port of Brest on Saturday, 24 teams of eight riders embarking on a 21-day trek across France with all eyes on defending champion Tadej Pogacar and a dramatic day of action assured on the opening stage.

Ineos Grenadiers generally establish what they call a clear "mission strategy" and on Thursday they unveiled a four-rider leadership of their eight-man team, headed by Geraint Thomas and charged with bringing the outfit their eighth Tour de France win in ten years.

The 2019 and 2020 editions of the Tour de France were won by two of the youngest riders in the history of the race. Tadej Pogacar and Egan Bernal are at the forefront of a new generation of young cyclists which are continually raising the bar and upsetting the established favorites. The 2021 Tour de France will be another battle between the dynamic youth and the experienced establishment.

The 2021 Tour de France route is one that will demand a truly versatile general classification contender. The opening stages in Brittany will test the mettle of the peloton with technical classics-style roads exposed to harsh coastal conditions. The parcours features high alpine and pyrenean passes, numerous sprint opportunities, and two significant individual time trials, which will prove decisive in the overall battle.

Die-hard cycling fans live for the epic three weeks of racing that engulfs France every summer. The biggest race in cycling, also happens to be one of the biggest sporting events in the world and is enjoyed by far more people than just hardcore cycling fans.

Die-hard cycling fans live for the epic three weeks of racing that engulfs France every summer. The biggest race in cycling, also happens to be one of the biggest sporting events in the world and is enjoyed by far more people than just hardcore cycling fans.

Ecuador's Richard Carapaz of the Ineos Grenadiers team won the Tour de Suisse after Sunday's eighth andfinal stage claimed by home rider Gino Mäder (Bahrain-Victorious).

Swiss rider Stefan Küng won his 12th timetrial on Sunday in the opening stage of the Tour de Suisse in Frauenfeld.

Australian Richie Porte won the Critérium Du Dauphiné on Sunday as Mark Padun of Bahrain Victorious picked uphis second stage win.

As the Criterium du Dauphine climbed into the alpine clouds on Saturday Australian Richie Porte emerged with the overall lead with one stage remaining.

Kazakh Alexey Lutsenko led Spaniard Ion Izagirre in an Astana 1-2 in Wednesday's fourth stage of theCriterium du Dauphine, a 16.4km time-trial between Firmigny andRoche-la-Moliere.

2020 Tour de France prize money broken out for the overall running totals and the daily stage totals for teams and individual riders.

Irish ace Sam Bennett won stage 1 of Paris-Nice on Sunday by timing a late surge to perfection in a mass bunch sprint.

Slovenian rookie Tadej Pogacar won the Tour de France on Sunday, riding triumphantly into Paris in the race leader's yellow jersey at just 21 years old.

Slovenia's Primoz Roglic once more prevailed on his toughest test yet to remain on course for Tour de France glory, while Miguel Angel Lopez soloed to a breathtaking stage win atop the highest mountain of the race.