Monday 23 July 2012

Phew, made it

As ever I've been glued to the Tour de France for the last three weeks.  What a journey, I'm exhausted, goodness knows how Bradley is feeling.   Since we witnessed a crash at close hand on the Giro I've had very mixed feelings about the lovely boys risking so much for their sport and I've been on the edge of my seat worrying through every stage.  
Yesterday I thought I'd have to leave the room as Bradley led out Mark Cavendish for the final sprint on the Champs Elysees.  I must be getting old, I've found that I much prefer watching the evening's edited highlights knowing that they are all safely home and the days job is done than watching the live event.
photo from Team Sky website
History has been made, the first Brit to win the Tour de France but no respite as team GB now prepare for the Olympics starting with the road race on Saturday.  Fantastic.
I've nothing but admiration for the way those boys have behaved, totally focused, articulate and charming (well OK Brad did have one foul mouthed outburst but I allow him that).  They've all been team players working for one goal, witness Mark Cavendish, a world champion himself, missing out on several potential sprint victories to fetch drinks bottles for his colleagues or carry Bradley's waterproof. Great role models and much of the credit should go to the Team Sky boss, Dave Brailsford who engineered this success. As Mr FF said, if this down to earth Dave was running the country we'd all be a lot better off.

2 comments:

  1. I know what you mean about watching the highlights, I do that too otherwise I am a nervous wreck. It was such a marvellous finish and I am thrilled for the team and the individuals. Not sure if I want to watch the Olympic races.

    I managed to miss any foul-mouthing!

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  2. It was a great victory wasn't it? I have high hopes for the GB cycing team at the Olympics. My TDF was far less stressful!

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