Professional Cycling For the Fans - TdF-05 - stage 14, some pictures

Some pictures I took last month during the TdF05, stage 14 on July 16.

It was on the "col de Pailhères" climb between Mijanes and the summit. The stage was 220 km long. I was at about km 185, midway to the summit so at approx 1,500 m altitude. The "col" itself is rated "hors catégorie", its 8.4% over 10.4 km.

It was a very hot day, 35C. The peloton has exploded earlier. Totschnig was leading. A few others were not far behind. Lance was doing good.

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I asked Lance to raise his head for the picture ... Check Jan Ullrich and Ivan Basso looking behind his shoulder. :rolleyes:



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Check his calf. :eek:

Awesome pics!

Want some more? :rolleyes:

Sure, post the rest.

And thanks ;)

OK then. Here are some more.

On July 15, I took my car to the summit. Tough ride for me, as I have never driven in the mountains. My knuckles were white.

I took this picture from the summit, 2,001 m. Check the valley and the road the racers must take.

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In the village of Mijanès. From there on, things gets serious.

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This is what is called a "col hors catégorie".

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Lots of people that day, of course most were French but a lot were from neighboring Spain, also a lot from Germany and Belgium. And a few Americans.

And this guy from Texas.
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Check the rows of camping cars and the snow on the mountain peaks.
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I missed Totschnig climbing first that day. But I didn't miss this guy coming on second. I couldn't see his number so I don't know who he is. He's from Bouygues Telecom.

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And now check this guy. He makes it look so easy. His name is Andryi Grivko. He's looking down to see who's following. Today at that spot, they were all doing that.

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First guy from T-Mobile. Not Ullrich, not Kloden, not Vinokourov. Talk about team tactics ...

He's pushing hard standing up ...
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and then back on the saddle.
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I remember that chap with the horns running along side Lance :rolleyes: and that first picture really captures the angles of the road. Nice, looks like you had a good time.

Some time after Amstrong, Basso and Ullrich. Here is Mr. Polka Dots, yes Michael Rasmussen. BTW a few days later, he'll wear the complete "pois rouge" kit, gloves and socks included. Isn't that nice? Talk about earning some major OCP points.

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And he is the crowd's favorite: Viktor Vinokourov. He speaks french and he wears a nice blue Khazakstan champion jersey. He looks really cool on his bike. ;)

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Nice, looks like you had a good time.

You betcha. I was there with my kids. I was more excited about it than they were. What a day. :D

No peloton that day. Just racers doing their best to climb that mountain under 35C heat.

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Another group further down ...
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and then coming up.
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The last group. Cheered as much by the crowd than the first. They all deserved admiration for their physical prowess. :eek:

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What a day!

Great photos.

The T Mobile rider looks like Daniele Nardello

fabulous pics. later.

Nice pics, thanks.

Tes photos sont fantastiques!

Merci

Great pics, man! Thanks.

Nice eye, Becane. Thanks for sharing!