I awoke Wednesday morning to the sound of RadioShack buses being loaded up and bikes being placed on top of cars. Out of my window there were numerous workers for both RadioShack and Saxo Bank running around like little ants getting everything prepared for departure. These teams essentially move a small village every single day between two coach buses, an equipment bus and half a dozen vehicles.
I went downstairs and meandered around the parking lot taking in the commotion that was going on. After a few minutes, Andreas Klöden and Chris Horner headed over to the main building for breakfast. They were shortly followed by several other members of the team. Not wanting to annoy them pre-coffee, I just let them be. After eating, Jani Brajkovic was the first rider to head back to the building were our rooms were and when I asked him for a photo, he responded with an enthusiastic yes and a big smile.
After Jani, Lance came walking back with what I could only assume were his assistants. I asked him for a photo and he hesitated for a moment. The look on his face showed a bit of weariness. He seemed to calculate if I was a crazy fan and how I got into his hotel all in a split second. I guess I passed the test because he stopped and said Sure. It was a very brief encounter but he was kind enough to stop for the picture.
Following Lance, the riders flowed out of the restaurant in a matter of minutes. I attempted to get photos with as many as I could. The last rider I stopped was Levi Leipheimer, who was quite cordial. He asked a few questions and we had a brief conversation.
As I was basking in the glow of meeting all of Team RadioShack, I suddenly was passed by no other than Johan Bruyneel. I quickly asked for a photo and he was friendly and all smiles. He may have been the friendliest of the team, but I guess he wasn’t about to go climb a few mountains and ride nearly 200 kilometers.
After the riders went back into the hotel, I waited around hoping to catch a glimpse of the Saxo Bank riders. I had not taken any photos the previous night during dinner because it seemed like such an intimate moment and I did not want to intrude with my request for pictures. While waiting, many of the Team RadioShack staff came up and chatted. Then famed manager, Dirk Demol came over and asked if I wanted a pass to get into the departure village at the start of today’s stage. Of course I said yes!
He was then even nice enough to tear out a page from the team’s agenda that had a map so that I would know where to park and how to access the area. I left immediately wondering how my day could get any better. After parking illegally, I walked over to the Village Depart and was quickly overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of what I was able to access. I had direct admittance to every rider of the Tour de France. On my right, Mark Cavendish, down a little ways, George Hincapie’s Stars and Strips bike! It was incredible. I ran around for a few hours, snapping photos with riders as they cruised by to sign in for the day. At Team Sky’s bus, Bradley Wiggins was cranking The Who so loudly that I think every person in Chambery could hear the music.
While it was quiet for a while with riders going through their pre-ride routine, it quickly got close to start time. Riders began scampering to sign in and the crowds thickened. The Team RadioShack area was almost always surrounded by a crowd of at least 50 people, which lead me to avoid the bus. I already had had my moment with Team RadioShack that morning and it was not worth fighting the crowds when there were so many other riders and bikes to take in.
Before I knew it, the riders were off and Stage 10 of the Tour de France had begun.
By Fitzalan Gorman, staff writer
Photos: Fitzalan Gorman
Now you have do win somthing in the montains
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