Yesterday we went to Cholet with Tim and Gaynor B to watch the team trial, stage 3 of the 2018 Tour de France. It was a completely different experience to our previous Tour visits, which were all out in the country, either in small towns (Preuilly-sur-Claise, Francueil, Montresor, Saint Savin), or way out in the country (a crossroads the other side of Chateauroux).
On all the previous visits we stood around for ages, then a huge bunch of cyclists whizzed past, then we all went home. The Time Trial format meant that we saw each team ride past as a group over the period of a couple of hours.
Because of where we positioned ourselves we were able to see the riders on their way out about 500 metres from the start, and then on their return to the finish line about a kilometre away.
On all the previous visits we stood around for ages, then a huge bunch of cyclists whizzed past, then we all went home. The Time Trial format meant that we saw each team ride past as a group over the period of a couple of hours.
UAE Team Emirates head out with Alexander Kristoff in the Green Jersey (points leader)
New Zealander Dion Smith in the Polka Dots (King of the Mountain) with Wanty - Groupe Gobert
Because of where we positioned ourselves we were able to see the riders on their way out about 500 metres from the start, and then on their return to the finish line about a kilometre away.
Team Bora about 2 minutes from a cold drink
Lotto Soudal head towards the finish
The Yellow Jersey rider was Peter Sagan of Lotto Soudal,
who followed his team in about a minute behind
It was a long day - we left home before 9.00am, and got back past 9.00pm, but it was spent in excellent company, and we saw some really interesting things that we hope to report on over the next couple of days.
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