Cycling: Admittedly, the death of favorites in this year's Tour de France surprised many this year. The French newspaper L'Equipe tried to find out the reason for this - with a somewhat mysterious result.
Who does not remember the first stage of the Tour de France in Yorkshire. To kick off the tour, the peloton paused in front of the British Royal House at Harewood House to receive congratulations from Princess Kate and her husband, Prince William, and his brother, Prince Harry.
Kate in particular shook hands with a total of five riders: Chris Froome (Sky), Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo), Andy Schleck (Trek), Rui Costa (Lampre-Merida) and Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma-QuickStep).
The three former tour winners are now out of the race, as is the reigning world champion and the British sprint star. While the tour was over for Cavendish before the end of the first stage, Schleck injured his knee just a few days later. Chris Froome's failure seemed particularly bitter. Last year's winner broke his wrist in a fall - even before the tour reached the notorious pavement on which Vincenzo Nibali laid another foundation stone for his imminent tour victory. Also due to a fall, but in the Alps, Alberto Contador said goodbye. The Spaniard broke his shin. The last of the named drivers to drop out was Portuguese Rui Costa, who contracted bronchopneumonia.
It is quite possible that the five will take a step back in the future if royal congratulations are due again – especially if they are flirting with the tour victory. Only Marcel Kittel (Giant-Shimano) was unimpressed. Kate congratulated him after his first win, which he has followed up with two other day successes.