My teams are Saxobank with Bobby Julich as the new Rider Development Manager, the Schleck brothers - Andy & Frank, JJ Haedo, and Jens Voigt. Then there is the new Cervelo Test Team with Sastre, Hushovd, Rollin, and Hayden. Last but definitely not least we have Ivan Basso with his new Liquigas team. There is Alessandro who seems to be the joker of the bunch; I don't think there was a time I saw him where he wasn't laughing or having a good time (Jens is the same way). Then Kjall & Gianni who both look very young, Jacobo (the quiet one) and Chicci (Alessandro's partner in crime). Then there is the staff. Following the tour I got to know the Cervelo team mechanic, Alejandro who I kept calling "alessandro" oops! Hailing from Spain, he was very nice in showing my friends and I around the bikes while he was working. He shared cookies with us while we all suffered in the freezing rain - a lot of fun. Then Francesco from Liquigas, who is a massuer for the team. I seemed to be the lone fan that would stop by their bus each day on the tour. If only I spoke Italian! Francesco was very cordial with me even though we had a slight language barrier.
In Sacramento, waiting for Ivan Basso, I met three lovely cycling fans. Dominique who came down from Oregon, and Oron & Jo all the way from Ireland! It seemed we were some of the few that were following the race the entire way. "Isn't this just marvelous? You can't get this close in Europe, especially to the Schleck brothers. It's nice that Lance is here distracting everyone!" Jo said, I couldn't agree more!
So it's the end of my journey. From the prologue in Sac town, which seemed to be an overload of the senses, to the final start in Rancho Bernardo saying my goodbyes to everyone. Everywhere you looked at each stage, another pro was weaving in and out of the crowd. At times you would miss them, since many of the public were arriving on the scene wearing the full kits from their favorite teams. Then the rains came and oddly enough, even though we were soaked to the bone and freezing, the spirit and excitement in the air never dissipated. Somewhat lonely at times since I was traveling on my own, it also gave me a chance to observe and witness how things worked within the teams and the fans who came, many for the first time because of Lance's return, but also to witness so many cycling greats race in person on US soil.
From what I witnessed, the teams are like brothers, the peloton - their extended family. They respect one another and have a good time, even in the worst of conditions. This is when I missed riding the most, when the peloton would pass me early on, not attacking just yet but simply chatting among themselves with big grins on their faces as if it were a reunion. And perhaps it was? Having Armstrong return after three years, there was Basso, Hamilton, and Landis back in the mix as well. Then you had those who retired not too long ago like Julich, and Aldag, trying to get comfortable in their new roles. "Yea, they had me following Frank today, it was nuts!!" Bobby says in the distance. Those of us who were following the tour became friends as well. Frank and Andy Schleck would wave to Jo & Oron as they were out on the course each day. Oron became known as the "7-eleven guy" due to his jacket of the old 7-eleven team he'd wear each day. They ended up getting water bottles, mussettes, and special momentos as a thank you from the team. In the meantime I followed team Liquigas and Ivan Basso every day, receiving my own mussette at the end of the tour (thanks Francesco!). One particular moment was at the top of Bonny Doon, I had a video camera in one hand and my 35mm in the other with a cowbell hanging on my arm...what can I say I multitask pretty well! ;) Anyway, it seemed Basso had a good laugh when he passed me.
Solvang is another point that will stick out when I remember this tour. I had finally gotten my picture with Sastre and was thus watching Ivan warm up for his time trial. I noticed that his knee was tapped up pretty good while instead of having tunes blasting through headphones, he had his trainer whispering in his ear. "If its still bothering you and you can't generate the power than you're just wasting your time but I think you'll be just fine." "Yes but when I push just a little, I feel pain." Basso replies with that thick Italian accent. Minutes later, he clipped out, disappointment and frustration written all over his face. Yet even then he stops to sign a few autographs before disappearing onto the bus. I knew that was the last time I would see him at the race, he was going to abandon. You couldn't help but feel for him, how many times have we all been sick, or injured at the most inopportune times and there was absolutely nothing you could do about it? Sure enough, it was announced shortly after that he was missing his start and having to abandon due to injury. Just a case of bad luck. :(
Finally, what seemed like ages of pouring rain, at the point when you thought you'd never warm up..the sun peaked through the clouds. Now THIS is California! Modesto was the point where the teams began recognizing that we were following the tour. Guys like Thor Hushovd, the Schlek brothers, and Ivan Basso would wave to us, or give us a wink when they passed, while Sastre never said much other than bowing his head with those humble eyes and smile. What can I say, I love this relationship between spectator and athlete. No, cycling will never be what football, baseball, or basketball is here in the States because in my opinion it can never generate the kind of money that those sports can. Perhaps that's what will keep cycling special in the hearts of those, (like me), who are so passionate about it and appreciate it for what it is. Many who showed up each day didn't know a lot about cycling outside of Lance which was a shame. They would hang around the European teams until Astana arrived and then in a flash they were gone.
I also found it interesting to see the differences between the dynamics of each time. There was Rock Racing who seemed like they were on a rock n'roll tour instead of a cycling race. Then Astana, the celebrity dream team of the bunch. Instead of having a 15 passenger van, or their team cars for their equipment they had escalades, black with heavily tinted windows. Then there were the American national teams like BMC, Bissell and Jelly Belly which seemed to be forgotten about with all the other world class teams that were present. Finally, Cervelo Test team, sitting quietly under the radar until Stage 3 when Thor won in the final sprint.
They came to us, a country known for its fast food and football, yet the crowds came out in droves, showing their appreciation. I hope we did them justice for getting out there in such horrendous conditions this early in the season. As I sit on the plane over Arizona and New Mexico headed home, somewhere over the Atlantic Basso and Sastre are heading home as well, while others will follow suit soon. I return to the monotonous mornings of serving coffee at Starbucks and going to school, while catching what I can on Versus of the spring classics and later on grand tours (when they decide to air it)...remembering the time in February when I was there to witness it all. Until next time...when I don't think I can make it up that next hard climb or maintain the sprint, I'll remember your efforts in my mind and know that somewhere deep down I'll have it in me, I'll know that it's possible. Thanks for the inspiration & motivation! Have a wonderful, healthy, and prosperous year boys!
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