As youngest wearer of the Yellow Jersey, Egan Bernal, became the first Columbian to win the Tour de France, instantly becoming a superstar in his native bicycle and football crazy nation. In spite of Welshman Geraint Thomas and the Netherlands' Steve Kruisjick completing the podium, most of the credit for what is widely considered to be one of the most exciting Tours in the past 20 years goes to 5th place Frenchman and panache-rider-extraordinaire, Julian Alaphilippe. His attacks earlier in the race and tenacity to hold on in the latter stages stimulated the racing and forced teams to innovate in their tactics. In the end Bernal was the best climber of the bunch, although unproven against retiree and French hopeful, Tibault Pinot, and succeed in climbing clear in the mountains that counted the most.

Now that the Giro and the Tour have been won by South American riders, who will win the Vuelta? Can Carapaz complete the double? Will Quintana finally deliver on his promise?