Like he was showing up at his best mate’s party, Tadej Pogacar came for his daily press conference late on Friday afternoon. So, guys, what would you like to talk about? The years haven’t touched the boyish grin, especially not now. He knows, as we know, that these three weeks have been special. He authored so much of what was memorable and now that it is done, it’s OK to reflect.

There is still a mountain stage and a time trial to come, but the battle for the Yellow Jersey is over. Pogacar’s lead is 5min 14sec, enough for Jonas Vingegaard to say that’s it. Vingegaard’s tears near the finish line at Isola 2000 came from the same place as Pogacar’s plaintive cry on the Col