From Barcelona to the Massif Central, the Tour de France has meandered over the Pyrenees, along the Garonne, and, suitably as the race hits its halfway point, pinned itself in central France.Over that journey, spectators have seen Tadej Pogačar seize control of yellow, Tim Merlier prove himself as the top sprinter, and the race disrupted by wildfires and a red-alert heatwave. The beauty of the Tour is that it contains multitudes; it is Jonas Vingegaard chasing shadows, Mads Pedersen fighting for green, and the struggling domestique fighting to make the time-cut.Every day of the race has contained its wrinkles — (spoiler: except, maybe, for stage seven) — but as we stand midway on the road to Paris, which has been the best? Here’s The Athletic’s recap of the race.10. Stage Seven, Hagetmau to Bordeaux, flat. Winner — Tim Merlier (Soudal Quick-Step)A forgettable, muggy, sprint stage on the Garonne; it helped the race move north and away from the Pyrenees. The break were never afforded a realistic chance of winning, while Merlier’s eventual victory was decisive and undramatic.Tim Merlier surges to victory in Bordeaux (Jasper Jacobs / Belga Mag / Belga / AFP via Getty Images)9. Stage Five, Lannemezan to Pau, flat. Winner — Olav Kooij (Decathlon CMA CGM)A stage that was majorly affected by a crash on an ill-advised bend 5.3km from the finish. That shredded the sprint teams — meaning it was a simple task for Kooij to surge clear. Scores more highly than stage seven because of Kooij’s tumultuous journey to the start line after a virus-affected season.Olav Kooij’s win in Pau was a redemptive ride for the Dutch sprinter (Jean-Christophe Chartre / Hans Lucas / AFP via Getty Images)8. Stage Three, Granollers to Les Angles, mountain. Winner — Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates)Limited supporters on the roadside because of the wildfire warnings made the race’s entry into the Pyrenees feel a little flat. The climb to Les Angles was not steep enough to force real gaps in the general classification — with Pogačar waiting to outsprint his rivals until the final few hundred metres.7. Stage Ten, Aurillac to Le Lioran, mountain. Winner — Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates)Another stage where the break never had a realistic opportunity. Richard Carapaz briefly raised hopes of a successful escape when his lead grew to one minute before the day’s penultimate climb, but the moment that Pogačar launched, this stage was over.