ekimeno

I initially decided that I would make Highgate Hill my standpoint for taking a few pics as the tour rolled by, but at the last moment decided that it would be too busy, so I made my way about 3km passed Highgate to a nasty little hill that runs up the back of Hamstead Heath - Spaniards Road




I went inside the Inn for a pre picture snapping beer, but the place was full inside, so decided to stick with the water. About 2 minutes before the first rider came through, the police were still trying to get traffic out of the way - it was chaos. I think London needs to get its act together for the TDF next year...




Anway - this guy was about 2-3 minutes ahead of the pack













After that I decided I just had to see the finish. So I hoped on my bike and chased down the back of the peleton with a group of about 6 like-minded fans.

ekimeno

It was about a 15-mile cruise down to St.James Park in Central London. When I got to my vantage point at the 300m to go banner, they had already done 5 of the 20 laps around the park. There was a great atmosphere and loads of people. It was sunny, but there was a strong wind.



I noticed that the lone break away guy had been caught somewhere along the line by 2 other riders and they were keeping the pack at bay by about a minute









Buy this stage they had a lead of about 30 seconds with 8 laps to go.




There was a crash round about the 5 laps to go point - by now the 3-man break had been caught, but the pack was split into 3 parts with a few survivers trailing at the back.



My only pic of the world champion...



And the sprint - no idea who won it, but I had fun and made my way back home to watch it on TV.

dmotoguy

My only pic of the world champion...



you got him in this one too

ekimeno

Damn - you're right. Cheers!

Panic

Great pictures. Looks like a fantastic day out.

mynameistom

Boonen won the sprint comfortably, I got to watch from the patrons area so perfect view right at the finish. Hammond was on his wheel the whole way butcouldnt draw level with him. That guy you took two pictures of in the fasso bartolo kit riding in front of the peloton is an absolute nutcase - I was in a Quick Step car in the team vehicle convoy and he was riding alonside it darting in and out of all the team trucks and trying to chase the police bike *******. He sure looked like he was having fun.

ekimeno

Turns out, Boonen won the sprint and that crash only involved some motorbikes and spectators.

A summary from cyclingnews.com: https://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2006...lts/britain066

dolophonic

Cool.Looks like fun.

ekimeno

Thanks for that info - I was sure that the Fasso Bartolo guy was going to win at the rate he was going - easily a three minute lead and he only had +/- 40km to go. He must have been caught somewhere between Hamstead and St James Park...strange how he was caught so quickly with such a big lead. Either he bonked really badly or the pack was flying at 70kph...or he wasn't even in the race???

botto 

I think it's safe to say that that guy was some nutter, if you considering that:

1. Faster Bordello never rode on Scotts

2. Never wore white shorts

and

3. Folded at the end of last season, and are no longer invloved in Pro cyling.

ekimeno

You, sir, may very well have a point.

Panic

I wonder if this was part of the security issues that concerned the riders

timmhaan

thanks for posting. that weather looks perfect. i've only been to britian a couple of times and i've never seen it like that.

ekimeno

We actually had (having) a very nice summer this year (record high)

...but most years we don't get too much sunshine - waterproof overshoes ON