Weather forecast had predicted heavy rain and it was not wrong. H&L out early, after great French bread at breakfast, to inspect route and find best vantage point for arrival which was not scheduled until late afternoon. Walked the last 2 km of course to finish and it was fascinating to see all the preparations that have to go on –huge amount of work in erecting the barriers, sweeping the roads ( and scrubbing and cleaning road surface esp on sharp corners) and getting all the press boxes and presentation stands set up-all truck mounted. Of course huge merchandising array as well and we bought requisite caps, T shirts and model cyclists.
Spent some of afternoon out of rain in café at railway station and then at about 3 pm returned to our selected spot on a curve by a railway overbridge, just before the hairpin bend at the 1 km mark. 2 curves meant field would have to slow down a bit. Not too may people there ( but cheerful and helpful people telling us what was happening) so we were right in front at barrier on curve –bit scary at times as everything came straight towards us on wet road before turning. Continued to rain quite heavily at times and caravanne didn’t arrive until well after 4pm –Sammi sitting on Marco’s shoulders was magnet for the goodies. Then the excitement mounted and the police motorbikes with blue flashing lights appeared over hump of bridge with the single race leader ( Henrich Hauser ) and everyone cheered and waved flags etc –then a few minutes later another 2 riders, then minutes later the first peleton group –peleton was split in 3 today –and finally the “Lantern Rouge” the last man came in about an hour after the winner !! We tried to walk down to the finish line to see presentations but too many people there, however we could hear it all especially the presentation theme we have heard so often at home on TV. Magnifique !! Everything we could have asked for except of course the rain.
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