Tour de France - catch up

OK, I know intellectually that it's over now, but I can't quite let it go....besides, it's traditional to discuss and dissect the Tour for months, isn't it?  So here are a few odd moments that I enjoyed, and wanted to share with you.

Firstly, did anyone else catch this little moment, in a back street in Paris? Eurosport were carrying out a serious post-Tour interview, and just look: what's that going on in the background?

 Answer, the Leopard-Trek mechanic - the one who we saw giving Fabian a new bike after the "Leopards Hit The Deck"  incident - gets thoroughly kissed!

I think it's Roger, but I'm not sure - the one with the strange old-fashioned Mohican hair-do.

Yes, let's assume it's his girlfriend, and not One L Jil, or Martine in a dark wig and glasses..... the cameraman kept moving round to get Bob in the middle of the shot, and to obscure the snogging, but they kept moving! D/aaaw, kinda sweet.

Right, next funny moment: we had some footage on Eurosport, of "some of the top riders" arriving at Grenoble airport on the morning of the TT. This included Fabian, Jean Vois, Conti, Frank and Andy, Cav: blimey, good thing nothing happened to that plane, wasn't it? Our sport could have been wiped out in one fell swoop...does not bear thinking about.

Here's Andy entering the airport: oh look, some fans have gathered to ask for autographs.

 

 Yes, your eyes do not deceive you, there must be all of seven, maybe eight fans waiting there.

So, ladies, a helpful hint: when trying to Stalk-a-Schleck, consider going to the little airports early in the morning, as there won't be much competition.

Of course, they will be tired and a bit cross, but they'll still sign autographs for you!

 Here we are on the podium - ah, that podium *sighs*.

Andy is fiddling with his cap, as he's forgotten what to do with his arms.

Frankie has it right: put them behind your back in a manly manner. Keep the weight equally distributed on both legs, so you don't look like a nancy. Head up, gentle smile - don't grin like a maniac, but look happy, there are approximately 37,482 cameras on you.

The bird with the microphone is about to start warbling some strange song which they are claiming is the Australian national anthem (what? You mean it's NOT waltzing matilda? There goes another illusion, shattered...) and what is Cadel doing? He puts his right hand up the back of his jersey, and pulls out the Aussie flag! Great conjuring trick, Cadel!

 Then, final TV moment for today, Cristin was asking about the clip of Frankie being a bit emotional after the TT.

I tried to take a video of it, but the TV banding made it unwatchable. (You know, the black bands that your eyes can't see, but which the camera can. So much for "the camera never lies"..)

It was very short, and of poor quality, and was a bit intrusive, but basically it was Fabian giving Frankie big hugs, and ruffling up his hair.

 Poor Frankie didn't really want to be filmed at this time, and you can't blame him.

Fabian moves off, leaving others to pat Frankie consolingly on the shoulder, as he gets himself under control.

And this is the man who has just made the highest win of his career - all upset because his brother didn't quite win it. I don't want to hear any more criticism of the brotherly bond, I think it's lovely.

Under the general heading of "Stupid Things Commentators Say" has to come this one, again from Eurosport: after the usual comments that Andy has now come second three times (as though that were a bad thing!) one guest was asked "Do you think Andy has had his day? Will he try again?"

I didn't hear the answer, I was howling at the tv so loudly. Andy is only 26, guys! Plenty of time, yet, plenty of time.

He said himself that he was getting stronger each year, in fact he made a lovely subtle point about his second places. He said that in 2009, he won second place. In 2010, he "lost" first place, because he was as strong as Conti, but he didn't quite manage to beat him. This year, he says he again "won" second place, because Cadel was just that much stronger than him.

For someone who's been a bit cossetted and protected, that's a very mature way of looking at things, I think.

And finally for tonight, (how often do I say that, before rambling on for another several paragraphs? Well, I get distracted.. or I remember something else I wanted to share.. or when looking for new pictures doing some in-depth research on one point, another point raises itself...) let's have a big super cheer for Fabian.

Why?

Well, for a start, why not?

But in particular, for giving so much in support of the team that he only ("only!") came 7th in the TT.

I mean, can you imagine how galling that must be, to be the World Champion at TT, and to only come 7th?

To have those 6 other guys, for the rest of their cycling careers, saying "Hey, I beat Cancellara!"

What a fantastic sacrifice.

I know that all the others gave huge amounts as well, but for people like Jensi and Stuey, well, we know that they are Super-Domestiques, that's what we expect of them.

But Fabu has a reputation: he is the best Time Trialist in the world!  And he was able to put all that aside to do his part when it was needed. Fantastic!

Well done, Fabian!

By the way, Fabu, why are you apparently handcuffed to that chair?