The Tour de France is everywhere! Walking to the train station this morning to catch the stage 9 arrival in nearby Mulhouse, I spotted several Tour vehicles in the parking lot.
Even though I missed my train and then missed my tram, I still managed to get a great spot right on the finish line. The finish line, something so vital to the race, deserves a closer look.
With so many essential components and no fewer than 4 cameras, there were people working on the gantry for much of the morning.
Tape temporarily marks where the official finish line will be.
Several large adhesive strips with a black line down the center are placed on the road.
Like all things sticky, the finish line often gets stuck on itself.
With delicate precision, the finish line is laid overtop the temporary marker.
Each strip must be carefully lined up with the one before it.
The line is smoothed out with a firm broom.
Just ahead of the finish line are 2 sets of cables which are covered with electrical tape. I'm not sure the exact purpose of these cables as I haven't yet had the opportunity to ask anyone.
Even the walk signal is blacked out with electrical tape.
TV journalists typically record their introductions at the finish line…
…although Juan Antonio Flecha and Greg Lemond filmed theirs a little further up the road.
After nearly 200 vehicles in the publicity caravan cross the finish line, in addition to the many bikes, mopeds, and other wheels as part of the afternoon's entertainment, the line has certainly taken a beating before the peloton ever arrives.
Even though no cameras were necessary to prove Martin's win, the sprint for second place was nearly a photo finish as Fabian Cancellara pipped Greg Van Avermaet.
The rest of the break followed Spartacus's heels, with Frenchman Tony Gallopin placing well. As the minutes ticked by, it was confirmed that Nibali had ceded over 6 minutes and lost the jersey. Astana and Nibali headed the main bunch.
Luca Paolini, wearing his rain cape as a crop top.
Svein Tuft.
Sebastian Langeveld.
Daniel Oss and Maciej Bodnar.
Did you notice a head peeking out of the lower corner in that last photo? It belongs to this man, the head of the finish line area. He blows his whistle every time a rider comes in, signaling to the photographers and crews up the road to get out of the way.
Peter Sagan.
Alex Howes stretched as he finished his day's work.
There was still a handful of riders to come in, but with the first Frenchman about to don the yellow jersey for the first time this year–and on the eve of Bastille Day–I knew it would be hard to get a decent view of the podium. My view was actually much better than this photo shows, but I was definitely cramped in and at an awkward angle.
Tony Martin, stage winner.
A good day to be named Tony: Tony Gallopin received the yellow jersey to an enormous roar of approval from the crowd.
As usual, Sagan in green.
Martin also claimed the polka dot jersey.
Kwiatkowski as the best young rider.
On the podium for the third time today, Martin was named the most combative rider.
