While I certainly missed seeing the peloton during yesterday's rest day, it was great to have a day off to do my laundry, visit my friend Guillaume, and explore Besançon.
It was back to business as usual this morning with 4 categorized climbs over the 187.5 kilometers of stage 11.
People often ask what goes on in the mornings before the riders sign on. It's basically an advertiser's dream: a captive audience eager to nab any and every freebie available. There are snacks, bags, backpacks, key chains, inflatable pillows, flags, noise makers, glasses, and hats galore!
But the main attraction (in my book, at least) is seeing the riders. Luis Mate of Cofidis was the first to sign on today.
Cyril Lemoine, who held the climber's jersey for several early stages in the 101st edition of the Tour, shopped for some gels.
Cyril Gautier and Bryan Coquard.
Nicolas Edet had taped the stage profile to his bike to keep track of the terrain to come.
Nine lonely cows stared vacantly as they waited ro be claimed by AG2R, the best team so far at the Tour.
The podium, VIP and press areas, and team parking are arranged differently every day depending on the space available. Today was a bit cramped from the word go with team cars squeezing behind a wall of VIPs, making it tricky for me to catch riders.
Romain Bardet was popular in the white jersey.
Vincenzo Nibali received another prize for his stage win at La Planche des Belles Filles.
Rider traffic.
With the sun promising to shine the entire stage for the first time this Tour, several riders took advantage of the shaded tables and chairs rather than return to their buses.
Rui Costa and Alejandro Valverde kicked pulled up another chair to rest their legs on. The former teammates chatted away happily as if they were patiently waiting for a bus.
Jerome Pineau rode towards the start while Jakob Fuglsang relaxed and Simon Gerrans assembled himself.
Vincenzo Nibali signed made some fans very happy by signing autographs and posing for photos.
The peloton finally got the go ahead to advance to the starting line. Below: Jurgen Roelandts and Lieuwe Westra.
Luke Durbridge fixed his shoe ahead of Rein Taaramäe.
Former Dutch champion Lars Boom with current national champions Simon Gerrans of Australia and Svein Tuft of Canada.
Adam Hansen and Tony Gallopin.
Andre Greipel.
Alexander Kristoff and Michael Schär.
Johan Vansummeren.
Bernie Eisel, Roy Curvers,and Vladimir Isaichev.
A teammate longs for Luca Paolini's luscious beard.
The Tour has not at all gone how Andrew Talansky had hoped, but I still believe in Pitbull.
Of the 198 riders who began the Tour in Leeds, about 180 took to the start today.
Stragglers John Degenkolb and an AG2R colleague.
Alex Howes.
With so many riders, it takes some time for the back of the peloton to get moving after the stage has started.
The peloton made me work hard this morning to get 11 autographs from: 2 Bernie Eisel, 8 Geraint Thomas, 48 Alessandro Vanotti, 55 Kristian Koren, 112 Davide Cimolai, 113 Kristian Durasek, 119 Rafael Valls, 163 Matthew Bushe, 201 Leopold König, 202 Jan Barta, and 203 David De La Cruz.
