For the beginning of Stage 9, I headed out to where the riders departed from Morzine. The town was still filled with fans but definitely less so than Saturday’s Stage 8 finish. Despite this, the crowds were still thick and it was difficult finding a place so that I could watch the riders sign in for the stage. Eventually, I scoped out a location along a local resident’s gravel driveway and was able to snap a few photos of the riders checking in for the day. The riders signed in over the course of about one hour and it was obvious that most riders waited until the very last moment to check in. When Lance arrived, there was an entire contingency of press following him. No other rider, not even Cadel Evans, who was in yellow, received this attention.
While the riders were signing in, the caravan took off. This is a very lengthy parade of decorated cars, motorcycles and floats. The caravan vehicles throw an array of paraphernalia out to the fans. About an hour after the caravan leaves, the riders depart.
The beginning of the stage was fairly uneventful. All riders line up and without much fanfare, they are off. The riders leading the pack out of Morzine on Stage 9 were Lance Armstrong, Cadel Evans and Thor Hushovd, who had the maillot vert.
I was unable to follow them throughout Stage 9, so I head out into the Alps and watched the finish on the television. After they finished in Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, I hit the road for Chambéry, where Stage 10 was to begin.
Unfortunately I was unable to book a hotel in Chambéry, so I was in the next town over, Barbarez. I was concerned about my hotel and a bit upset that I was not staying in Chambéry. All of my concerns evaporated when I pulled into the hotel and saw that The Shack coach bus was parked in the parking lot.
I was some how staying at the same small hotel in a small outskirt town as RadioShack and Team Saxo Bank. I had to drive through barriers and speak to several police officers to prove that I was actually allowed at this hotel. After checking in, I headed over to my hotel room. While walking up the stairs to my room, I passed Dmitriy Muravyev and Sergio Paulinho, who were in towels coming and going to the masseuse.
After quickly showering off, I headed down to the hotel bar to take in all the action. The hotel was filled with both Team RadioShack and Saxo Bank staff. There appeared to be no other non-team related individuals staying at this hotel. From the bar, I could see that RadioShack and Saxo Bank were having dinner in separate private dining rooms. I positioned myself in the bar so I could watch everyone walk by. Team RadioShack had their own catering service, Mellow Johnny’s Catering, that I assume travels and feeds the team throughout the entire tour.
The first one to dinner was Andreas Kloden who was shortly followed by Levi and Chris Horner. After waiting for about an hour, I decided it was time to eat myself and asked for a table. I was seated directly next to the Saxo Bank table in what I had assumed was a private dining room.
Saxo Bank came in shortly thereafter and were in extremely jovial moods because Andy Schleck had just taken the maillot jaune for the first time in his career. There was a toast conducted by Fabian Cancellara and revelry between Andy, Fabian, Jens Voigt and Jakob Fuglsang. It was a wonderful experience to take in the laidback and friendly atmosphere that this team was having; especially seeing one of them had just fulfilled a dream of a lifetime.
By Fitzalan Gorman, staff writer
it was well done by Armstrong
Translate the Comment