"Just back from an amazing day watching the Tour de France with Champagne de Castelnau’s MD Pascal Prudhomme. De Castelnau is the exclusive Champagne poured on the Tour de France and is being served in all the VIP lounges and at lunch. Together with keen cyclist and guest Patrick Schmitt of the Drinks Business we saw for ourselves just what a brutal race this is as David Millar drove himself (metaphorically, of course) to the finish to win the stage in the streets of Annonay in the Ardeche.

The day had started in the mountains of Savoie in St Jean de Maurienne. Our tour guide, former pro racer Raphael Jeune took us along the stage in a car over the two Cols of Grand Cucheron and Granier, both category one climbs, before the stage became one for the sprinters across the flatter sections towards the Rhône. However, the breakaway group with Millar was not caught by the peleton.

Our day included a helicopter ride over the Rhône as the racers crossed into the Ardeche for the final run  into Annonay. What better way to experience the thrill of the race than in the air and with a glass or two of De Castelanu."

Here's a little snippet of the action.....