My morning with ‘The Tour’
6 July 2010 at 17:11 2 comments
I am hardly a sports fanatic but with the 3rd day of the Tour de France leaving from the ‘neighbourhood’ in Wanze, Belgium, I had to be there. Complete with my Tour de France T-shirt from 2005 (barely fitting over my 37-week preggo belly), I was really glad I made the effort. Many people go for the ‘caravan’ – the publicity vehicle parade where lucky catchers get cheesy promotional hats, big hands and noise makers. As if I needed any more ‘junk’. For me, it was all about the cyclists, bikes, ambiance and the possibility to see Lance Armstrong with Team RadioShack and to be part of the action.
Team Radio Shack bus in Wanze, Belgium - Tour de France - 6 July 2010
I can’t explain why I like the Tour de France. Perhaps it all started in 1990 when my Mom and I were visiting Paris and marveled at the fact there was no line at the Eiffel Tour in July. That is, until my new French language skills picked up snippets of a conversation at the elevator… “Tour de France, aujourdhui (today)…” I turned to Mom incredulously. ”Mom, I think I know why there is no line. The Tour de France is ending in Paris today!” With no waiting time, we easily saw the view, had a nice lunch in the Eiffel Tower restaurant and as luck would have it, walked over to the edge of the Left Bank just as American Greg LeMond passed by with the peloton to win his 3rd Tour.
Over the years the sport has been tarnished by doping scandals and rumours. It is difficult to know what to make of it all. The negativity can be frustrating and it seems so easy for people to criticize and judge cyclists like Lance Armstrong. I’m not sure if we will ever know the real story but I am not embarrassed to say I am a fan of Lance. The man has overcome enormous personal and physical challenges over the years. Undeniably, his Livestrong organisation has provided thousands of cancer survivors and their families with support, as well as counsel on healthy living for many others. While there are clearly those who are not fans of Lance (his collection of turbulent romantic relationships spring to mind), it is difficult not to respect the determination on his face when the man gets on that bike.
Today I saw that steely resolve and competitive spirit for myself.
Lance Armstrong in Wanze, Belgium - Tour de France, 6 July 2010
Having fallen yesterday, together with 60 other cyclists because of slick, hilly roads near Spa, today promised to be another challenge for the seven-time Tour winner, with 8 km of cobblestones on the 213 km menu.
Wanze was animated and full of activity. Amateur cyclists were out in force, families cheered, music blasted and the riders descended from their huge air-conditioned team buses to be confronted by media and cameras. It was a thrill and I can say I was there for what Lance says (really) this time, ‘will be his last Tour de France’. So Lance came in 18th in the standings today?There are still three weeks to go! I look forward to telling our daughter the story one day. In the meantime, she will receive a yellow Tour de France baby bib. I couldn’t resist…
Entry filed under: Captured moments. Tags: belgium.
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Tim | 7 July 2010 at 10:24
It’s a wonderful thing seeing the Tour live. We saw it when they came to London three years ago, and the atmosphere amonqst a crowd of widely varying knowledge was fantastic.
And what a great stage it was too – one of those which will remain long in the memory after the Tour is finished. (I’ve attached a link to my daily update for this stage below).
Good luck with the impending birth! We had our second (both boys) earlier this year, and I’m already trying to get them both interested in the Tour.
http://thearmchairsportsfan.wordpress.com/2010/07/06/schleck-wrecked-as-cobbles-give-peloton-a-bumpy-ride/
2.
sunflowersbythesea | 7 July 2010 at 14:31
Thanks Tim! Yes, it was well worth it – even if the husband and relatives thought I was crazy ‘in my condition’. I’d do it all over again. Thanks for the best wishes. I can’t wait to put the Tour baby bib on my daughter and indeed, introduce her to the sport one day.
Really like your play by play blog. Thanks for sharing and glad I know I can count on your blog for updates when I won’t be able to watch the action so easily in the next week!