Seven points are missing from the mountain king, eleven seconds from the yellow jersey and 100 meters from winning the stage: For the German professional cyclists, the 109th Tour of France is also a tour of missed opportunities.
Simon Geschke fulfilled every wish for autographs or selfies. The almost mountain king found his smile again after the tears in the Pyrenees, and compatriot Nils Politt unceremoniously named him the “winner of hearts”.