Sporting History in Paris

Well. How on earth do I blog the events of yesterday and do the day justice? I’ve come away from races before with a sore throat from cheering but I’ve never been to a cycle race where I’ve left completely hoarse from singing and chanting. If you’re one of the tens of thousands of Brits that were there you will know what I mean, if you wasn’t let me try and set the scene…

I didn’t really need an alarm call at 01:30, I was already awake and excited about the day ahead. Bev had made her way down from Rugby and after picking her up from her hotel we were soon on the ferry tucking into a ‘fat-boy’s’ breakfast as the White Cliffs disappeared behind us. Despite the early hour the ferry was packed, no doubt a fair few on board like us heading for Paris, these lads certainly were:

We arrived in Calais as dawn was breaking and it wasn’t long before we were off the ferry and heading for Arras, just over an hours drive away. Parking up in Arras we had another hour or so to wait so we settled down with L’Equipe in glorious sunshine until the 09:17 TGV arrived to whisk us off to Paris at 100 kph.

Arriving on the Champs Elysees just after 10:30 the famous road was already busy, a hive of activity where the Union Jack was being proudly flown from vantage points everywhere. As we approached the Arc De Triomphe, British flags were strung from trees, barriers and lamp posts and this little corner of Paris was full of like-minded cycling fans guarding their places. Dave Dunphy the organiser and fellow blogger Neil Pollington was there and it was good to say hello.

Despite our relatively late arrival, Bev and I were able to secure a second row spot and for the next few hours the area started to fill and the atmosphere began to build. Fran Millar arrived and handed out a box of ‘allez wiggo’ tattoo’s that were soon being applied to various parts of the human anatomy. The British media were out in force and many made for our little corner where many photographs were taken and interviews conducted. Even The Sun, who’s reporting of cycling has been pitiful considering they consider themselves to be ‘first for sport’, turned up and despite not knowing the difference between a Dogma or a Drogba (the latter being a footballer that falls over a lot) at least they made an effort.

Everywhere you looked there were Brits, enjoying the sunshine and celebrating a historic achievement. As the Champs-Elysees filled up it was time to start the ‘Mexican Wave’, ably conducted by our Master of Ceremonies Mr Dunphy…

Those that were there last year will recall that our success with the ‘Mexican Wave’ was at best limited. This year, with so many Brits in party mood it was much, much better. After a slow start we soon had waves travelling up and down the Champs-Elysees which only added to the fantastic atmosphere.

The publicity carravanne came and went and still spectators arrived. It was now 19 deep at the Team Sky corner, and then the singing started… Well known football chants were amended to accommodate  both Wiggo, Bradley or Cavendish and soon either side of the road were competing against each other in a sing-off… Superb!

As the race approached Paris the atmosphere somehow increased and as the motorcycles and support vehicles flashed by everyone strained to see the first riders as they approached the turn. A small group of 8  led by Omega-Pharma Quick Step were the first to arrive and received tremendous applause, but a few seconds later Bernie Eisel drilled the corner with the rest of the team close behind him and as we caught the first glimpse of the yellow jersey in Paris. Well… The place absolutely erupted..!

I’ve never, ever, heard such a cheer at a cycle race before and it was repeated a few seconds later when the newly liveried Jaguar Sportbrake made the turn with horn blaring and much waving from within…

It would be just 9 minutes before the whole process was repeated again. In the meantime chants were prepared to be sung and rehearsed prior to the riders arrival. Lap 2 and a small break was attempting to get away which included the ever popular Jens Viogt, so that was alright… Jens made the turn his face a picture of effort and pain…

The cheering and singing continued with no less enthusiasm for the next 5 laps. The Brits as one appeared determined to show their support and make themselves heard, it was humbling to be a part of it.

The World Champion, Yellow Jersey and King of the Mountains flashed by side by side, what a magnificent spectacle…

By lap 7 the break was still away but slowly being pulled back, Sky, Liquigas and Saxo Bank all took pulls on the front and as they approached the turn for the final time the Lotto train was starting to form for Andre Greipel. As the main field passed the Sky Corner on the last lap the encouragement for Cav was deafening…

And then, as the last vehicle made the turn and disappeared down the road a hush descended upon the Champs-Elysees as the only way to know what was happening was to listen to the race commentary that was being broadcast via pa. David Dunphy was translating for those that couldn’t speak French and when he calmly announced “… and that means that Mr Cavendish has won the race” our corner went absolutely ballistic. Champagne corks were popping and the celebratory alcohol being consumed would certainly have given the Belgians a run for their money. Paris had been invaded and the invaders were having a party…

Although we couldn’t see the presentations we listened and cheered Bradley’s speech and whilst Lesley Garrett did her best to destroy the National Anthem we did a much better job at the other end of the road…

It would be 40 minutes or so before the teams began their lap of honour, each team lining up in front of the Arc de Triomphe for the obligatory photograph. Of course that afforded us the opportunity to call and beckon the riders over to sign autographs and obtain photographs. I’m not sure why but sadly only a few riders made the effort, or perhaps were permitted to do so by their teams, notable absentees being David Millar and Nicholas Roche. Rein Taaramae, Laurens Ten Dam and Stuart O’Grady obliged and did their personal public relations no harm at all -

It has to be said that such was the desire to get autographs and see the riders there was a lot of pushing and shoving that made conditions at the front a tad uncomfortable. It wasn’t malicious and certainly not deliberate but there were a few occasions during the afternoon when pressure at the front became a bit dangerous…

The legend that is Alexandre Vinokourov came over, as did the winner of the white jersey, Tejay Van Garderen -

Sadly, and despite much encouragement, we had to make do with a wave from Tommy Voeckler, George Hincapie and Cadel Evans who received genuine and sincere applause. Liquigas was the last team before Sky to form up in front of the Arc and the Brits momentarily became Tifosi as we chanted “Nib, Nib, Nibali” much to the delight of the 3rd place rider. Both he and Peter Sagan came over, posed for photos and signed autographs -

And then, there was just one team left. As the boy’s formed up “Wiggo, Wiggo” and “One Bradley Wiggins…” reverberated up and down the Champs-Elysees. It was a magnificent, special, moment and a pleasure to be there.

There was so many photographers surrounding the team that it was actually difficult to see what was happening. But when Bradley was hoisted onto the shoulder of his team mates the cheer was deafening. The boys made there way over to us and on our side of the barrier it became a scrum and a well intentioned free-for-all as everyone attempted to get near the riders and offer their support and appreciation -

As the team made there way down the Champs-Elysees the crush at the front subsided and it was time to pack up and reflect on a memorable day. The atmosphere in Paris was absolutely fantastic… thousands and thousands of Brits flocked to the city to celebrate a quite outstanding achievement and it was an absolute privilege and a pleasure to be a part of it.

Bev and I made our way back to Calais and we finally arrived back in Dover nearly 24 hours after we left it.

In closing this blog I must sincerely thank Dave Brailsford, Sean Yates, Servais Knaven, the mechanics, carers, Fran, all the staff, and of course Bradley, Mark, Chris, Edvald, Bernhard, Chistian, Richie, Michael and Kanstantsin who collectively made this magnificent day possible. For as long as we live both Bev and I can say that on Sunday the 22 July 2012 when Bradley Wiggins and Team Sky made British cycling history in Paris we was there… Wow!