With the first week of the 2017 Tour de France completed, the riders are enjoying their first day off from racing in the Dordogne.
Rest days are invariably far from that for riders, as well as teams and staff. As well as physically recuperating via massages and trips to the team physio, the day will invariably include a light recovery ride, possibly a press conference, lots of eating and other essential duties before racing recommences the following morning.
>>> Who’s out of the Tour de France after stage nine?
And, of course it’s a chance for riders to catch up on social media. Here we collect together some of the Tour rest day tweets that have caught our eye.
Okay, so some riders find time to take a nap… and no one would deny German sprint powerhouse André Greipel a chance for an extended kip.
Rest day needed… pic.twitter.com/txlDgprPfT
— Andre Greipel (@AndreGreipel) July 10, 2017
Race leader Chris Froome takes a moment to meet his fans.
Quick spot of media and now out for my rest day ride, thanks for all the support 👍😊 #TDF2017 #TDF #cycling pic.twitter.com/H6Ml8yQzqM
— Chris Froome (@chrisfroome) July 10, 2017
Cannondale-Drapac’s Nathan Brown takes a look over the week’s stats. That’s a lot of calories to catch up on.
First rest day at the tour. It's been a tough, but very satisfying first part. Here is the data from the first 8 road stages @TrainingPeaks pic.twitter.com/NynyNZerzk
— Nathan Brown (@natebrown0707) July 10, 2017
It’s possible that Maxime Bouet wishes he was riding another stage today, rather than visiting the dentist with a tooth infection.
Bonne journée de repos à #perigeux … merci au cabinet Besse pour le RDV en urgence. Dent dévitalisée infectée… pic.twitter.com/mtGmSYZ1Fi
— Maxime BOUET (@BOUETMAXIME) July 10, 2017
Like a British Bank Holiday, the weather can let you down on rest day. But Philippe Gilbert sees the funny side.
Not the ideal weather for the first #TDF2017 rest day 🌧 pic.twitter.com/DSqp0BIRKm
— Quick-Step Cycling (@quickstepteam) July 10, 2017
Watch: Tour de France 2017 week two preview
Team mechanics do not have a rest. For them, it’s a chance to make sure all of the squad’s kit is in perfect nick.
Today it's not restday for the staff! They all do a great job ! #TDF2017 #TeamWGG #DestinationParis pic.twitter.com/0FFj4mc3k6
— Team Wanty-Gobert (@TeamWantyGobert) July 10, 2017
British sprinter Dan McLay confesses to considering a change of professional during Sunday’s gruelling mountain stage. He finished in 179th place.
Yesterday was a day you wished you had chosen table tennis or darts but when you finish you're happy you chose cycling! #wedontplaycycling
— Dan McLAY (@McLAYDan) July 10, 2017
Katusha-Alpecin’s Maurits Lammertink had no luck on his rest day ride.
Flat tyre @lammertinkm Bad start training on rest day #TDF2017. #TeamKatushaAlpecin pic.twitter.com/p29q0cRdeC
— Team KATUSHA ALPECIN (@katushacycling) July 10, 2017
Bram Tankink likes to stand in a field.
Gisteren was een monsteretappe in de tour. Nu rust en morgen sprinten. Hier een tip via #ohv voor mensen die rust of sprinten saai vinden. pic.twitter.com/BB06M7Ypj7
— Bram Tankink (@bramtankink) July 10, 2017
And there were those who will not be returning to the Tour this year. Having crashed out of the race on Sunday’s stage, Richie Porte tweeted a photo of the view from his hospital bed. We’re fascinated by what appears to be a tea bag in a bowl of water.
Hospital food. Bon appetit! Thanks for all the messages, much appreciated. pic.twitter.com/lq164KuU4M
— Richie Porte (@richie_porte) July 10, 2017
And he posted a video message too…
📹 #TDF2017 @richie_porte speaks about his condition, the crash and his supporters around the world. 📝 👉 https://t.co/tmaSTiZ0RZ pic.twitter.com/sS8lYJVRQS
— BMC Racing Team (@BMCProTeam) July 10, 2017
And Ignatas Konovalovas will also not be returning as he missed the time cut after helping FDJ sprinter Arnaud Démare.
Good morning rest day.Unfortunately,will have much longer rest at this years @LeTour . We were fighting,but lost.Would still do the same #HD
— Ignatas Konovalovas (@ignatas) July 10, 2017
The racing resumes on Tuesday with stage 10, a relatively flat trip from Périgueux to Bergerac over 178km that should favour the bunch sprinters.
