The spectacle of Remco Evenepoel and Julian Alaphilippe unchained is worth the viewing, and if the opening stage of the Tour of Britain on Tuesday sets a precedent, this could be quite a week. The Belgian double Olympic champion and the French double world champion combined on the roads of the Scottish borders to set up the win in Kelso for their youthful Soudal-Quickstep teammate Paul Magnier.
The Frenchman Magnier is all of 20, in his first season as a professional, and seemed overwhelmed to have France’s and Belgium’s finest riding their hearts out for him.