Today the tour group were given the option to do as they pleased. There was a Tour start from Luchon, so some could head down there to check out the 'bike porn', chat to the riders or just take in the overall Tour de France atmosphere. Others could go for a ride up the Col du Portillon or Superbagneres. Others could meet up with the tour on the Col de Mente or Col de Peyresourde. Some just watch the race unfold on TV. Maybe a little of all of the above.
Some went riding early this morning after brekkie, while the remainder decided to take in the Tour start. The tour if anyone has been to it is like a circus as the caravan rolls through town. If that was a circus then this was a circus inside Carnivalé. There are thousands of people, of all shapes sizes and levels of interest in cycling. There are the hard core cyclists milling around in their lycra, some who obviously had not looked in the mirror before they left the house, as it was the choice of lycra made them look like middle aged, balding Germans in lycra 2 sizes too small, that make Lampre uniforms look good. Others are just cycling fans trying to get a photo with some of the riders (some with the girls following the riders around). Others are locals wondering when will this circus leave town - please. All the while the riders, directors, support staff, journalists and other hangers on wander around in the cocoon on the other side of the barriers.
Adrian was after a hit of bike porn, wanting to check out what the Pro's were using in terms of kit. His first stop with Sanchez was the Liquigas team and a look at the Tourmenator's machine. It has a great livery with the Tourmenator across the top tube and a picture of Arnie's Terminator from the movie of the same name on the head tube. A beautiful machine. Parked next to his team leaders machine- Vincenzo Nibali. All the bikes looked great, although they are only Cannondales.
For Australians there were probably two main attractions at the tour start. Cadel Evans as reigning champion and the BMC set up or our Australian team Orica GreenEDGE. The crowds around the BMC bus were enormous, as was the same at Sky, Europecar & Radioshack. There would be less of a crowd around Orica GreenEDGE and all Australians would be looking for their bus at some stage this morning and taking a look.
At some stage most of the CCW group spent some time outside the Orica GreenEDGE bus. Sanchez, JT, Creeds, John O, Andrew & Colin were all sighted there at some stage. Sanchez spent most of the time there, along with JT. It was interesting to see that the Australian journalists, spent most of their time around this bus. Also ex-cyclist Kathy Watt, as a photographer. She has been in a very good paddock. As the riders emerged from the bus, the opportunity to grab a photo or have a chat presented itself.
Sanchez and JT got plenty of photos and for all their hard work and dedication as groupies were presented Official Orica GreenEdge caps and deputised as Domestiques. Unfortunately Stuey O'Grady already filled the slot as Super Domestique. The race started the riders took off like someone told them there was a free feed in it for the first to the finish line and out rolled the flotilla of cars behind them. The crowds quickly dispersed. Some of the group went for lunch, some shopped, some returned to watch the race and some just were that buggered they went to sleep.
Phil & Karl rode into town to watch the race in a pub and mix it with the locals. A group decided to make a full rest day of it and hit the couch to watch the tour with a beer. Sanchez however had not had enough of riding or taking photos so he decided to ride out to the course as it made its way off the Port de Bales and then up the start of the Col de Pyresourde before diverting to Peyregudes. A nice little 3 or 4 km climb to there. Sanchez found himself a spot about 300m into the climb because to ride higher quite frankily meant too much work on a rest day. This is where the race was about to explode so a great spot for photos. Unfortunately the race would be won by an unrepentant cheating Spaniard! After the race passed Sanchez used his best French, Italian & a series of made up words to clear the crowd as he made his way back with haste to catch the last 1500m of the race.
A quick shower and preparing of bikes for tomorrow's epic up the Col du Tourmalet and the group headed into town for dinner. A lovely little French restaurant serving Italian food. A master stroke by our leader and current KoM leader Mick, to weigh down his nearest challenger in Andrew T or would the Mick's Calzone backfire on him and leave him too heavy to take maximum points. Tomorrow would reveal all. Meanwhile Adrian was having a few tummy troubles and walked around with a toilet roll in his pocket. At one stage it seemed we needed to connect an 'Occy' strap to the belt of his short to keep him close to the toilet as he seemed to yo-yo in and out of there. Hopefully a good night sleep would bring him round. All enjoyed dinner before heading home to rest up for tomorrow's
Posted by David
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