A very satisfying day. The tour used to finish and start in the same town, but ASO make s more money from splitting the venue. The Tour also functions as the initiation into the ranks of master cyclist. That has echoes of the Compagnons du Devoir.
"Tour de France" simply refers to the fact that the Compagnons travel throughout France; every six months to a year they are required to change work locations. This is unrelated to the Tour de France cycling competition. The word compagnon (companion) is derived from the Old French compaignon, a person with whom one breaks bread.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compagnons_du_DevoirIt's not possible to race for three weeks without recourse to drugs, and days like today used to be more common, often through the Champagne region. Today's was across the Beauce, known as the bread-basket of Paris. So there's an echo of 'compaignon, a person with whom one breaks bread'. Literary allusions used to be common when the race was reported on in print, which was the original intention.
I started watching the Tour when a half hour Channel 4 show was the only UK TV coverage.A stage such as today's isn't intended for live TV.
The Tour de France has to be an achievable aim for all the riders who start, so then can become a master of their craft. PBP has the same function for a randonneur.
We were a bit upset by a presenter of the highlights show describing a field of barley as wheat. But how can you have any sympathy for something you don't know about?