I was extra early to the train station to be on the first train into Chorges this morning, so I took a quick stroll over to Sojasun's hotel and left Brice Feillu some encouragement using my chalk in front of his team bus.
When I arrived to Chorges, I picked a spot that let me see the finish line as well as the awards podium. I said good morning to all the guys who work the finish set up and they were pretty surprised to learn I've been taking the train, rather than driving, to follow the Tour. Upon hearing this, one guy offered to see about getting me a VIP pass for the day. It was awfully generous of him, but I passed since I preferred my strategic spot to one that would give me access to snacks and drinks.
Fien and her family met me and she and I shared our various Tour stories since we last saw each other in Montpellier. As we talked, a man came over to say good morning to me. I'd seen him several times and we usually just smiled and nodded at each other, but today was different. He asked me how many stages I'd been to, how I was traveling and how Fien and I knew each other. He was clearly impressed and walked away before returning with 2 VIP access cards. I'd seen the VIP bracelets before, but the badges were serious business! We were able to walk on the course and I got a photo on the finish line!
When it was time for the main event to begin, Svein Tuft was the first cyclist to go against the clock as he was the lantern rouge (last place). At least this meant he got to be in first place for a little bit!
I'm going to resist the urge to post a photo of every cyclist (although I did in fact miss getting pictures of a few of them) and just stick to my favorites and the big names.
Gert Steegmans.
I was too excited when Jack Bauer of Garmin crossed the line, so my picture taking suffered but the most important thing is that I yelled really (really) loudly for him.
Mark Cavendish.
David Veilleux.
Andre Greipel.
Maciej Bodnar.
Tony Martin, world time trial champion, silver medalist in the 2012 Olympics, and winner of this year's first time trial in the Tour.
David Millar.
Ramanus Navardauskas.
Marcus Burghardt.
Jens Voigt.
Peter Sagan.
Ryder Hesjedal (again, too excited to focus on getting a good photo).
Tom Danielson.
Tejay Van Garderen rode a great time trial and I yelled my head off for him.
Philippe Gilbert.
Nick Roche.
Richie Porte (what a tan line).
Sylvain Chavanel.
Mikel Nieve.
Cadel Evans.
As Andy Talansky approached the line, he earned 2nd place and I yelled so loudly for him that Fien had to cover her ears.
At one point, several consecutive riders set a new fastest time, bumping Talansky further and further back, unfortunately. It's not just that a rider would beat the previous fastest time by a few seconds, he would destroy it, and then the next rider would annihilate it, and the following one would smash it, to the point where I ran out of verbs to describe what was happening.
Dan Martin.
Nairo Alexander Quintana.
Alberto Contador. He and Froome were virtually neck and neck throughout the course and the fans were going crazy. Would Contador pull back a few seconds from overall race leader Froome?
Chris Froome.
In the end, Froome was the fastest man on the course. It was almost a relief when it was over, there was so much excitement and adrenaline flowing. I was gutted for both Talansky and Van Garderen who had incredible rides but ended up placing ninth and tenth, respectively.
I had a good vantage point of the podium but I suddenly realized I could do much, much better. My VIP badge, which I hadn't yet used, gave me access to press areas, so I bolted around the crowd for a couple of hundred meters and made my way to the course entrance/exit. I half expected the police to not let me in but I flashed my badge and they gestured for me to come in. I couldn't believe it. I found myself at the foot of the podium alongside the professional photographs as Froome was presented with his award for winning the stage.
Froome left the podium and immediately reemerged, this time to don the yellow jersey.
Again, he left and returned to the stage for a final time as the king of the mountains.
When Sagan stepped out to receive his newest green jersey, I couldn't help but take a self photo.
Quintana as the best young rider.
I didn't catch all of the names, I'm sorry to say, but several former cyclists came out to climb the podium together. Far right, Bernard Hinault.
Froome's plethora of flowers and latest lion.
The jersey winners all gave interviews after their podium time. Not surprisingly, Froome's interviews took the longest.
I'm totally astounded every day by the incredible cycling taking place at the Tour de France just as much as the phenomenal experiences and interactions I've been having.