The 18th stage of the Tour de France saw Briton Chris Froome of Team Sky retain the overall leader's yellow jersey on Thursday.
The gruelling cycling competition that involves riding on cobbles, through potentially bunch-splitting winds and mastering dangerous courses as well as a tricky team time trial, has been nothing short of spectacular this year.
The three-week race that started in Utrecht, Netherlands, has witnessed a lot of action on and off the track with spectators and the treacherous but scenic view, along with the cyclists, adding a touch of drama to the race.
Rediff.com compiles the gruelling race into a package of images. Scroll below and feast your eyes…
Mark Cavendish (Left of centre) Great Britain and Etixx-Quick Step and Andre Greipel (Right of centre) of Germany and Lotto-Soudal lead the sprint for the finish line during stage five of the 2015 Tour de France, a 189.5km stage between Arras and Amiens in Amiens, France, on July 8. Photograph: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images
A pack of riders makes its way past Didi Senft, a cycling enthusiast better known as 'El Diablo' (The Devil), during the 190.5-km (118.4 miles) 7th stage of the 102nd Tour de France cycling race from Livarot to Fougeres, France, on July 10. Photograph: Eric Gaillard/Reuters
Tejay van Garderen of the USA and the BMC Racing team spends with time with his daughter Rylan at the start of stage two of the Tour de France, a 166km stage between Utrecht and Zelande, in Utrecht, Netherlands, on July 5. Photograph: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images
The peloton rides along the North Sea coast during stage two of the Tour de France, a 166km stage between Utrecht and Zelande, in Zelande, Netherlands, on July 5. Photograph: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images
Cyclist Lance Armstrong of the US is surrounded by journalists as he leaves his bus before taking part in Geoff Thomas's 'One Day Ahead' charity event during a stage of the Tour de France from Muret to Rodez, France, on July 16. Photograph: Fred Lancelot/Reuters
Riders and their bicycles fill the road after a fall during the 159,5 km (99 miles) third stage of the Tour de France from Anvers to Huy, Belgium, on July 6. Photograph: Eric Gaillard/Reuters
Team Sky rider Chris Froome of Britain wears the race leader's yellow jersey as he cycles during the 178.5-km (110.9 miles) 14th stage of the Tour de France from Rodez to Mende, France, on July 18. Photograph: Stefano Rellandini/Reuters
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Riders pass a cow on the side of the road during the descent of the Col du Tourmalet during Stage 11 of the Tour de France, a 188 km stage between Pau and Cauterets, in Cauterets, France, on July 15. Photograph: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
Julien Vermote of Belgium and Etixx-Quick Step receives medical treatment following a crash during stage five of the Tour de France, a 189.5km stage between Arras and Amiens in Amiens, France, on July 8. Photograph: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
Reinardt Janse van Rensburg of South Africa and MTN-Qhubeka visits the barber shop in Tarbes, France, the start village before Stage 10 of the Tour de France,a 167 km stage between Tarbes and La Pierre-Saint-Martin, on July 14. Photograph: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images
Chris Froome of Great Britain and Team Sky (left) rides with the peloton as they are cheered on by spectators during Stage 6 of the Tour de France, a 191.5km stage between Abbeville and Le Havre, in Grandcourt, France, on July 9. Photograph: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
Daniel Teklehaimanot of Eritrea and MTN-Qhubeka signs autographs for fans before Stage 10 of the Tour de France, a 167 km stage between Tarbes and La Pierre-Saint-Martin, in Tarbes, France, on July 14. Photograph: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images
