The best cycling race is going to start on the 4 of July. So, lets take a look back at the 2014 Tour de France and some of my personal highlights, stage wins, sprints, crashes, combativeness and witnessed throughout the 2014 Tour de France.

Even though some of the favourites for the Yellow Jersey and Green Jersey crashed out early, it allowed other riders to shine.

A video showing the highlights of the entire tour.

1. Most Dominant Rider

Well, it’s obvious isn’t it? Nibali, aka Nibbles. The Italian rider rode a magnificent tour, taking the lead on stage 2. Even though Chris Froome and Alberto Contador withdrew due to injuries, he held the Malliot Juane with an iron grip, losing control just on stage 9. However, a commanding performance from stage 10 onwards meant, the lead was only extended.

His competitors were just not able to match him in the mountains and his team supported him well. Valverde and Porte could not match him at all in the mountains, ensuring the Tour was a battle for 2 and 3 place which were taken by Jean-Christophe Péraud (FRA) and Thibault Pinot (FRA) respectively.

1. Biggest disappointment

Richie Porte is without a doubt one of the best supporting riders in the business for a general classification contender. However, when Chris Froome abandoned, Porte was the leader for Team Sky. Stage 13, he just lost the pace in the climbs and was out of the top 10, having been within striking distance of Niabli.

Even in the Giro he withdrew despite coming in as the team leader. Maybe injuries or maybe he cannot handle the pressure. Froome will nonetheless be more than glad to have Porte guarding him in the mountains this year Tour de France.

1. Best sprinter

With 4 stage wins, including 3 dominating stage wins, Marcel Kittel ticks was the best sprinter at the Tour. His biggest competitors were Peter Sagan and Alexander Kristoff. Both finished second on several occasions but Kittel was the most dominating of the lot. He now has won on the Champs Elysee for 2 consecutive years. It’s a pity he wont be joining the Tour this year, as the rule changes implemented are going to favour traditional sprinters.

1. Most combative rider

This has to go to Andrew Talanskyof Garmin. The American rider who was in the top 10 of the general classification. However, multiple crashes really took a toll on his body. However 1 stage, he cycled to the end (falling out of the top 10) and was nearly picked up by the broom wagon (means he would not be finishing the tour if picked up). It really takes an awful amount of guts to cycle to the end of a stage at their speeds even when banged up hard.

Unforunatley, his body had been damaged and he had to withdraw from the Tour, not before impressing many with his determination and strength.

1. Best stage

Stage 18 , was an impressive display for the Niabli who more or less, sealed the title here. With 2 hors category climbs Nibali pulled ahead of all his main rivals and the King of the Mountains, Rafał Majka, to win the stage more than 1 min ahead second place. There was a mad scaramble with members of the top 10 including Pernaud, Pinot, Van Gardren, Valverde all trying to gain time on each other.

However, with the lead in the general classification now extended to 7mins 10 seconds, The first place for the tour was more or less over.

1. Most surprising young rider

While he lost the white jersey to Thibault Pinot, Romain Bardet established himself as a future general classification contender. A top 10 finish at 23 is really impressive and he battled with Pinot till stage 20 for the White Jersey. However, his time trial skills need to improve, as he lost 2 minutes in that 1 stage alone.

If he can develop and start to expand his scope of participation, he could be a real pain for some of the more established names.

7. My favorite moment

Tony Martin on the 9th Stage. The German Cyclist is well known for his amazing time trial prowess at the Grand Tours and World Championships. However, he joined the breakaway on Stage 9, 15kms from the start of the 170km long stage.

He stayed there and in the final 60kms, he powered ahead on a solo effort to take the stage win, nearly 3 mins ahead of second place. He showed, he can really win a stage thats not a time trial, even in the mountainous terrain. Deservedly, he received the stage’s most combative rider.  He would still retain his time trial prowess with a win in the Individual Time Trial on Stage 20, but Tony, take a bow for that stage.

8. Biggest Shocks

Well the biggest shock was the loss of Green Jersey contender, Mark Cavendish crashing out on Stage 1 and subsequently pulling out of the Tour.  2 of the favourites for the General classifcation, Chris Froome (multiple crashes over 2 days)  and Alberto Contador (broken legs) did crash out in stages 5 and 10 and were unable to continue to the tour.

While their loss was a blow to the Tour, it was still interesting to see outside challenges try to take their chances for the win. It saw Pinot, Bardent, van Garderen and Péraud rise to the occasion.

Now, with the 2015 Tour de France to start? Let’s see what surprises are in store for us at Cycling’s grandest stage.