I went to sleep last night with a cool idea about what to write about today.  In the last stage of the Tour de France, Mathieu van der Poel was nearing the finish as a large group of cyclists was roaring up to him from behind.  So exciting!

Mathieu reached the line less than a bike length ahead of the nearest pursuer – his teammate Jasper Philipsen.

Jasper raised his arm in a salute to his friend.  It was a magnificent moment.

I dozed off thinking about the UCI (Union Cycliste Internationale), professional cycling’s governing body.  The UCI has a history of fining riders who celebrate a teammate’s victory.  “Obstructing” other riders.

I woke up this morning expecting that the UCI had fined Jasper, but they hadn’t.

The frequent rulings of obstruction dampen spontaneity.  “Don’t show joy.  Be a normal person” is what I hear in my head.  It’s not what the world needs.

Part of me was happy that the UCI didn’t speak of the moment.  That feels new.  It shows progress.  And … I admit that a smaller part of me wanted the UCI to keep being the villain in my mind.  I’m sad that wanting the second result stills resides within me.

The good prevailed

***

As always, I wanted to select a photo to accompany my post.  I searched and searched for a finish line shot that wasn’t copyrighted by someone.  And I couldn’t find one.  So no magnificent moment of Mathieu lurching for the line and Jasper thrusting his arm high.

Then I lowered my goal – any shot of the two cyclists would do.  At first, again no luck.  But soon …

An AI-generated photo of Jasper sitting on Mathieu’s lap

That’ll do