Stage Favourites:
***Kittel(EUS) **Matthews(LAM) *Swift(LAM)

Yousef Al Ghanim got into the large break again today, you certainly can't say we are not trying. All things considered I rate him 10/10 for his contributions to the team in this TDF so far.

Getting Yousef into the break may seem small fry, especially after we have finished on multiple GT podiums. But, back in Qatar such a feat is very well received. Expect Camels on the mountains!

Once the break was absorbed, largely due to the formidable Lampre train, a crash a ways down the peloton takes out a few riders. The biggest casualty being the polka dots leader, who would not get back up. Yes Thomas Dekker would abandon after the crash.

The Norwegian takes his second stage win here and consolidates his lead in the points classification. Lampre had the perfect leadout, again, but Matthews could not prevent Boasson Hagen coming round him in the dying meters.

Good Times on the Cobbles (POST #451)

Qatar Optics' first delve into the big cobbled classics in Belgium could not have gone much better. Gallopin finishes 4th at Flanders and 8th at P-R to justify our inclusion in the historic classic races. Such results soon gained us great popularity in the Belgian cycling world and, was no doubt, a foundational for Duvel Beer coming on board down the line.

Stage Favourites:
***Kittel(EUS) **Guardini(YTE) *Matthews(LAM)

Another straight forward sprinter stage greets us after yesterday being a rest day.

Today Al Yazeedi is the aggressor who represents us in the break today, all of our guys are really pulling their weight here. Superb! Although it is admirable, we were frustrated by the break being pulled back by the rampant peloton ahead of the finale.

The sprint train for Lampre here is quickly being talked about as one of the most dominant ever to grace the TDF. With 200 meters to go Swift has ensured Lampre's sprinter, Matthews, is well ahead of the field save for Howard.....

Once again the power of the lead-out proves to be the undoing of the opposition as Matthews takes one of the more convincing sprint wins here, thus narrowing the gap in the points classification.

The Beginning of Bruyere (POST #486)

2019 was the first pro season for Roger Bruyere. He really did add an extra dimension to this story through showcasing his own thoughts and opinions on himself and the team.

Now, in 2021, the guys at Duvel Beer have decreed that they will not renew the contract of Roger Bruyere for 2022. This is a real shame because I am sure he has the ability to be a top rider.

In fact I am so sure of this that I am to do a slight U-turn on my Qatar Optics retirement, I will be coaching the team at San Sebastian and the Vuelta with Roger being the team leader for GC in the latter race. Though I shall not be recording this in this story as I remain adamant that this story ends with this race, the 2021 TDF.

Stage Favourites:
***Boasson Hagen(FDJ) **Matthews(FAR) *Tsatevitch(B&O)

What can we do more? We once again get into the break, this time with Al Sulimani. We were a bit spiteful that the peloton would chase down the break again, but it was to be expected. We are all together with around 15 KM to go.

as a large crash, some forty riders back in the peloton, takes out a load of riders. Thoughts were quickly cast to the GC men, were any big guns involved?

Yes. There were.

The revelation of this TDF, Robin Girardin, after being poorly positioned by his continental team came down heavily. Whilst the likes of Mollema and Schleck, who were caught up, came back quickly the younger Frenchman didn't.

There would be no making it back for Girardin. He would lose his podium place and drop down to 8th and in many people's eyes he loses any chance of a GC victory.

For us Ahmed Al Ghanim successfully avoided the crash. The pace is really high coming into the sprint and 13 riders distance themselves from the rest.

Matthews picks up win no.3, the lead out was once again PERFECT by Swift. Who would almost certainly be winning some stages if he was sprinting for himself. Matthews moves into the lead in a close and exciting fight for the points jersey.

Ibai Salas, has a super unexpected day in GC, finishes 11th some '28 ahead of the most of the other contenders after being well martialled by his team. Today may well turn out to be a pivotal day in the GC.

Super Giro - Screw Job (POST #553)

The 2019 Giro was our first GT and what a GT it was. Kritskiy was in scintillating form taking three victories, looking incredible in the TTs and in the hills. Going into the last stage he was even on points with Cattaneo for the lead in the points competition...

But, thanks to corrupt and dubious organisers we were 'screwed' out of the points jersey on the final stage.

Stage Favourites:
***Kittel(EUS) **Matthews(LAM) *Boasson Hagen(FDJ)

Now up to today in this TDF we have been in 90% of the breaks. We didn't make the break today, so of course, the break would be allowed to get away! Seriously, the hilly run in didn't perfectly suit the sprinters which gives a decent reason for the break being allowed to stay away, that and some quality riders made the break.

After all most two weeks of racing fatigue is starting to kick in. This was obvious in the break as Stuyven clearly had way too much in the tank for the opposition as he rode away in the final kilometre. Having said that Waeytens finished the fastest and will be ruing he didn't go with his compatriot.

Matthews consolidates his lead in the points classification by leading the peloton home thus gaining 8 more points to take his lead to 13 points over his Norwegian arch enemy. For us, Al Ghanim stays out of trouble and continues his quest for a good top 20 in the GC.