Stage 18: Salies-de-Bearn > Bordeaux…

We left the clouds of the high Pyrenees on Friday (07/23) morning and headed for sunnier, warmer wine country. We arrived in the small town of Salies-de-Bearn a little later than scheduled since the exits from the highway were already closed when we arrived. So, our industrious guide navigated us into town via back roads through the French countryside. The scenery was worth the diversion.

Sunflowers as we whizzed past

Narrow one-way bridge that we had to negotiate in our big tour bus

We arrived into town around 11:00am and departed the bus just as the caravan was heading out right in front of us, so we walked alongside of it as we made our way into the main part of town. People were already lining the streets, with barricades already put into place. We were unsure of where to go, but finally got a clear direction on where the start line was. Given that there were people lined up through the main road of town and the start was at the other end of town, I assumed the riders would be starting and riding through town before making their way out. Turns out I was absolutely wrong, but we still managed to get ourselves into a great spot. Unbeknownst to us, many of our tour mates figured out where the team buses would be arriving and decided to hang around there to see the riders warming up. However, we ended up on the other side of town nearer to the start where a podium was set up. We had no idea what, if anything, was going to happen.

It turns out that we were in a primo spot to watch the riders grab their nutrition and sign in on the podium. The first few riders from Cofidis came through around 12:00pm. Again, we still weren’t certain what was going on at that point. We were puzzled how all of the riders were going to make their way through before the 12:55pm start, but sure enough that’s what ended up happening. At first, the riders just trickled through one to a few at a time, but then closer to go time things started happening very quickly. Of course, all the main riders we wanted to see came through in bunches toward the end.

Getting nutrition needs for the ride

Thankfully, Team Radioshack actually took the podium together to receive an award for leading the team rankings, so we got to see them all together, and of course, the Man himself. We also saw the jersey holders, and there is definitely major support for Schleck compared to Contador. Andy, Andy, Andy!

Radioshack leads the Team classification

Lance signs in

Contador signs in

Andy signs in

Cavendish signs in

On their way to and after signing in, all of the riders apparently made a lap through town, so that’s how most folks were able to see them. Then, they amassed at the start and rather uneventfully headed out of town with the many team support cars following quickly behind them.

Race start

We then made the 3+ hour drive ourselves to Bordeaux to catch the finish, which promised to hold much excitement since it would likely be a sprint. When we arrived, the crowds at the finish had already lined up and were several people deep, which did not bode well for 5’1” me. K was able to wrangle his way into a spot at the 25 meters point from the finish line, right where all the action would likely unfold with the sprinters. I, on the other hand, was resigned to watch the race as best I could from the large screen tv. After the finish, we then made our way to the podium area, but again it was impossible for me to see anything and even next to impossible for K to see anything. This has me nervous about being able to see anything for the finish in Paris, but at least we’ll be there early enough to line up with several hours to go before the riders arrive this time.

The finish

Big George rolls into the finish

Daniel Oss was the most aggressive rider for today's stage (despite getting swallowed up by the peloton with less than 5k to go)

HTC-Columbia bikes (115 is for Tony Martin and 116 is for Maxime Montfort)

 Tonight we are in Libourne, which is northeast of Bordeaux. Deep in the heart of wine country.