BAGNERES-DE-LUCHON, France — As we descend off the back of the Col du Tourmalet, a fan clasps her hands to her head, mouth gaping in disbelief at our speed. Markus Hoelgaard nearly overcooks a wet corner and unclips to stabilize his balance at the last second, with our car and two motos bearing down on … Read more
Bonjour et bienvenue! The 2025 Tour de France begins Saturday in Lille. If you want to about read the rhythms of the sport, you’re in luck, because we have a two-part series on that for you. If you want a preview of the three weeks of racing, you have come to the right place. A … Read more
In yesterday’s story, How To Watch Cycling, I wrote offhand that the Tour de France was “poker on two wheels.” That poker game is an important element of tactics, but it’s not the only one. With the Tour so close and so much more coverage to come, it seemed worth addressing the principles of team … Read more
VARIOUS CITIES (SOME ARGUABLY TOWNS), France — The first time I visited France, I was on the subway when a woman and a group of elementary school–aged girls rushed into the car. It was midday; I was confused, but assumed nothing. Everyone in the seats stood, which is the usual habit for making space in … Read more
The topic, in Defector’s internal chat, on Friday, was a ban, in the nation of France, on smoking in most outdoor spaces. How can the French—the French!—ban smoking? David Roth observed that “this feels like one of those things that leads to a bunch of guys in day-glow vests overturning a police van”; Kelsey McKinney … Read more