The first day of August is popularly known in Spain as Operación Salida (Operation Exit). But those expecting the country’s embattled Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, to join the millions of Spaniards making their annual mass exodus from the towns and cities and quit – in a political sense – were left sorely disappointed.

Alasdair Fotheringham recalls the early bus stop, Thomas’ remarkable bravery and the power play that put Froome in yellow

Even as Chris Froome was on the point of celebrating his maiden win in the Tour de France on Sunday, fellow-Briton Mark Cavendish’s four-year reign on the Champs Elysées ended with a narrow defeat to Germany’s Marcel Kittel and André Griepel – Cavendish’s first ever failure to win on the final stage of the Tour.

His victory is not just for Britain, but for the globalisation of cycling, writes Alasdair Fotheringham

Tour de France winner has one last unfulfilled wish to share his victory with his late mother Jane

How Froome went one better this time and ascended to the top of the podium

Tour breaks new ground today with double ascent of iconic mountain to mark 100th birthday 

Epic win on Ventoux has raised the usual doubts, writes Alasdair Fotheringham

British ace matches the great Eddy Merckx by triumphing in yellow on  the summit of Ventoux

Sky's Chris Froome had his first truly straightforward day as race leader yesterday as a break of 18, including Britain's David Millar, fought it out for the stage win – taken by Italy's Matteo Trentin – while the overall contenders eased back.