THE TOUR! (Languedoc)
The tour came to town today, unfortunately not the 'Tour de France' but it's little brother the 'Tour du Sud', this scaled down version still had a caravan; much smaller but more generous with its gifts, excitement; a bit laid back in true southern style but enjoyable, and sunshine but not to hot.
So a very good afternoons free entertainment. We were lucky that the bikes rattled through, went off up and down another mountain and came back to finish in the centre of town, so 2 bites of the cherry.
There was a single race leader out in front, then and eschappe group of 8 and then well behind (6 minutes) the pack. We had a commentary as they went off, up and down the mountain and it became increasingly exciting as the breakaway group bit by bit closed the gap between them and the leader, 2 minutes 45 seconds, down through the seconds as it went from 18 to 15 kilometres to go, broke the 1 minute mark, headed towards 30 seconds, it sounded like he was going to be caught with just 4km. to go. But no, he made it home alone up the straight to the well positioned finish line right at the bar. He being Julien Loubet.
Out to win Julien Loubet
There was a crowd of spectators on the shady side of the street from the 50 metre mark, honest, this photo makes the turnout look a bit sad!
The local cycling club.
So a very good afternoons free entertainment. We were lucky that the bikes rattled through, went off up and down another mountain and came back to finish in the centre of town, so 2 bites of the cherry.
First time they had to negotiate the roundabout in town, some better than others.
There was a single race leader out in front, then and eschappe group of 8 and then well behind (6 minutes) the pack. We had a commentary as they went off, up and down the mountain and it became increasingly exciting as the breakaway group bit by bit closed the gap between them and the leader, 2 minutes 45 seconds, down through the seconds as it went from 18 to 15 kilometres to go, broke the 1 minute mark, headed towards 30 seconds, it sounded like he was going to be caught with just 4km. to go. But no, he made it home alone up the straight to the well positioned finish line right at the bar. He being Julien Loubet.
Out to win Julien LoubetThere was a crowd of spectators on the shady side of the street from the 50 metre mark, honest, this photo makes the turnout look a bit sad!
I'd heard of Brice Feillu and Jeremy Roy who finished not far behind. The big French favourite for many years, Thomas Vockler, and Sky team rider Geraint Thomas also took part. Best young rider went to a guy from Ecuador, Richard Carapaz - one to watch out for in future.
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