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Saturday, July 21, 2012

Final Glory in Paris - Tour de France 2012 finale

Today is a mix of excitement and sadness. The end of another Tour de France.

I remember the 2005 Tour de France finale on the Champs Elysees well. I was five months pregnant and sat for hours on the cold stone of Rue de Rivoli. The atmosphere was amazing. It didn't matter that I had to walk five miles to the closest toilet, or that we were over1km from the finish line- I was there. It was amazing. The first time the peloton went around was an electric feeling, almost surreal and nothing like I had ever experienced.

I had come to see Robbie (McEwen) take the stage win, but even though that didn't eventuate with Alexandre Vinokourov escaping and stealing the stage, you still couldn't wipe the smile off my face. (At least an Aussie came second in Brad McGee).

And today here in 2012, I wish I was sitting on that fence yet again.

But I'm not. I'm here at home in Australia sitting with anticipation for an exciting finish to a fairly uneventful tour.

This stage will be anything but uneventful I hope. All the sprinters teams will be working to position their chosen ones in the best spot to deliver them over the line to glory on this hallowed ground.

Peter Sagan, Mark Cavendish, Matthew Goss, Andre Greipel will all by vying for that triumphant feeling.

I don't know who is going to win. My head says it will be a Cavendish / Greipel showdown but it is the Champs Elysees and anything can happen and I hope it does!


Who's your pick for final glory?


2 comments:

  1. It should be cav but maybe in a shock surprise turnaround after a massive crash Gossy? Uphill if the headwind picks up Greipel oh and Sagab can do another cherry-pick .. Think that has it covered LOL

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  2. You're on the right track. I'm sitting with you :)

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