One thing Russ and I always wanted to do was watch the Tour de France when in this country- today I ticked the box! Kev put on his sports hat and took me to view this phenomenon!
This morning we went grocery shopping at Le Clerc (major sponsor of the race) and they were giving away the red polka dot (king of the mountain) backpacks!
We went back to house, unloaded groceries, had a nice lunch and Kev and I set off for Luzech , 19 kms from the finish of todays (stage 19) race, in Cahors. In good Bonnici fashion – there is always a park at the front – and sure enough we secured a park 500m from the top of a hill climb ….
Right here, well prepared with, chilly bin (water, snacks, aoeta (bitey bugs) and chairs! We were really grateful for the chairs!
Kev holding the fort waiting for the action to begin!
We didn’t have to wait long … Vehicles started rolling through as the “Caravan” of sponsors then raced through the chicane, throwing promotional material to the crowds!
Sue the tourist snapping photos until realising that we were missing out on all the promo items being chucked at us from the vehicles
There was this frantic French woman next to Kevin who was snatching everything that bounced off him – obviously this is a thing and the regulars are well prepared to snatch and grab!
There she is with her backpack full of stuff – ours and hers! Kev and I were very happy with the multi coloured pen, shopping bag, crackers, lollies and washing liquid that landed at our feet and she couldn’t steal!
We then Witnessed a brown eye from a drunk French man and a young lady dressed in nude…. Cycling gear…
Was rather disconcerting in the summer afternoon sports atmosphere! You can all draw your own conclusions here!
Then the action began ! Police, motorbikes with media, race support cars and finally the Athletes…
The leading three followed by the Paleton ….only a few seconds behind
Team Bike Exchange was our chosen one, as sporting two kiwis and three Australians – George Bauer (NZ) the one who had had the altercation with a motorbike and car yesterday.
Not sure if any of these are the Kiwi but this is the team… however it was all over in 20 minutes and none of the leading crew took out the race, after they topped the hill – it was a sprint to the finish line and the Frenchman Christophe Laporte took out todays race!
There he is (at our point) sitting about 12th in the chasing Paleton in the black jersey next to the overall race leader (in yellow) Jonas Vinegrad from Denmark!
With only two more days of racing the word is out that the danish rider has secured the yellow jersey and the victory for 2022!
Not sure why we have a black background, but after an exciting afternoon, laden with our treasures and memories of finally witnessing these amazing athletes, a few nice cool beers to top off a Friday night in provincial Southern France……anything is possible!
All who wander are not Lost girls 