The bodyguard

Photo for Aussie fans, 2007 Albi time trial – in the rain.

Welcome to France

Arrived in Paris to find it cool and overcast – much better than hot or rainy. The Ritchey Break-Away bicycle is assembled and on the road, pedaling yesterday through the suburbs between Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport and Paris. Great to turn the cranks after a long day of traveling.

So, the Tour de France. What an amazing year with only one second separating the top two riders and the Colorado-based Garmin-Chipotle (Slipstream Sports) and former Denver resident, Christian Vande Velde, performing beyond anyone’s expectations including his own I think, with a third place standing.

Cadel Evans, in the yellow jersey, is overwhelmed by all the media attention. We had easy access to him for photos and a brief hello in past years. This year he has hired the Belgian bodyguard, Serge, who first went to work for Lance Armstrong in 2001. We next saw Serge last year working for the now disgraced doper, Alexander Vinokourov, of Kahsakstan.

Serge with an unhappy Vino

Serge is to Armstrong’s left – trust me!

So the next days will have no impact on the overall competition for the yellow jersey as the stages are transitional between the Pyrenees and the Alpes. The fireworks will be flying this year in the Alpes and we’ll be there for all the action. With such a close competition we expect the fans to be out in full force in all the key areas of the stages.