On Sunday 27th July the ITV4 screens went blank at the Tour de France for the final time. It was a curious three weeks, knowing that this moment was coming. The crew behind the camera, many of whom have been part of the circus for longer than I have (almost a quarter century), have of course known since November that this would be their last. So it’s not exactly come as a surprise.

Nonetheless, I wasn’t certain when I arrived in Lille for the Grand Départ what the collective attitude would be on the ITV team, in the knowledge that we would be closing the door behind us and disappearing. I thought that heads might drop, and that morale would be low. I could not have been more wrong.

Ned Boulting Columnist

Ned is a British sports journalist, television presenter and podcaster, best

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