We should now be halfway through the first week of the 2020 Tour de France, but we all know about COVID-19. To keep our spirits up we've picked some of the coolest images of last year's French Grand Tour to present in our 'Tour First Week Gallery'.

There is an old joke that the only famous Belgians anyone can name are Hercule Poirot and Tintin and both are fictitious but not only has Belgium produced celebrated cyclists, but it has given us the best one of all: Edouard Louis Joseph Merckx. “Merckx 525” is a particularly good book published by Velopress nearly a decade ago that gives us his accomplishments in visual form and is well worth seeking out.

June 18, 2020: Eddy Merckx turned 75 years-old on Wednesday - Top Story. New name for Ineos? Crash for Terpstra and Cunego recovering. Tour talk. Race news. Training camps. Tour teams announced. Poels for the Ardennes, Zakarin in Cyprus, Hinault with Mavic, Ganna dreams of Roubaix, transfer news, cyclo-cross in Rome, new sponsor for Bigla and Madiot to take legal action against Bruyneel.

At one time there was a strong home professional scene in Britain and up to the early 90's there was a full calendar for the 'paid class' riders. One of the top winners was 'Super Sid' Barras, there are not many riders out there with such a full palmarès.

01 June, 2020 - Now the Giro d'Italia is worried about no 'Tiffosi' on the route - Top Story. News from the other Grand Tours, plus Burgos and l’Avenir. Rider news from Cavendish, Roglič, Sagan, Quintana, Viviani, Froome, Bernal, López, Philipsen, Cavagna, De Marchi, García and Lampaert. French National champs, Education First, Bora training, Ridley, US Olympics, ToAD and Maryland postponed, Moncoutié talks doping and the passing of Decock and Steevens.

May 18, 2020: Merckx thinks there is no respect for Giro-Top Story. The Tour, the most talked about subject. Worlds to Qatar. Vuelta no fans, Strade Bianche closed circuit, Giro route announced, Tour of Britain postponed, Froome to change team, Québec/Montréal not worried, Evenepoel for Giro, Nibali Roubaix, Roglic on Dumoulin, Lotto Soudal test for Corona Virus, Gavazzi home and Cattaneo’s favourite climbs video.

Apr 27, 2020 - Bad news for CCC - Top Story. Deceuninck safe, sport not a priority, lockdown relaxed for Spain and France, Strade Bianche and Sanremo, Koen de Kort, freedom for Viviani, Van der Poel can win the Tour, Evenepoel, Schachmann Grand Tours, GiroRosa, Bigla-Katusha, Campenaerts control, Sunweb, Worlds date change, Vliegen, Alonso cycling and Movistar helps Red Cross.

Viktor does exist... I know, I've met him. Ed Hood is only the conduit of wisdom/bile emanating from Vik. The acid has been bubbling over and Ed has collected it up for your entertainment.

Ed's Rant: The World has been turned upside down, the coronavirus is affecting just about every facet of daily life all around the globe. Ed Hood became the victim of the last minute cancelation of the Manchester 3 Days, so a rant wasn't far off!