Tour of California Week, Part IV: Memorable Modesto

Tour of California Week, Part I
Tour of California Week, Part II
Tour of California Week, Part III

I can’t remember the last time I received flowers from a man. Oh wait, yes I can… it was 1995.  Not that this qualifies as the same thing, but I'll take these as a gift anyhow.

Hope I don't have to wait another fifteen years...

The day started out gorgeous and I found myself thinking at one point that with the move to May the riders would complain about the heat. My opinions on this matter quickly changed as a high cloud cover began to roll in. Over a couple of hours, the cover became thicker. By the time the race was showing on the screen, the temperature had dropped noticeably and a few drops of rain had started to fall. I’d spent all day in the sun, sitting on a corner in direct sight of the finish line, to be rained on. Obviously not ideal, especially if you’re trying to get pictures. Luckily, the rain stopped and the roads started to dry before the peloton reached downtown.

As the riders flew by, I snapped photo after photo just as I did for the first stage. However, the lens I was using wasn’t as cooperative when the riders came around the corner. Life isn’t Burger King; I can’t have it my way, but this didn’t stop me from trying and cheering my heart out.

Cervelo leading into the first turn of the circuit, Levi Leipheimer and Dave Zabriskie staying up front

The real action came after the race.

See, the corner I situated myself on turned out to be golden. Once the riders plowed through the finish, they came down to the corner and stopped to turn around and return to either the podium or their team buses. I caught interactions between soigneurs and their riders, teammates, and even riders from different teams.

Jens Voigt (Saxo Bank) congratulates Francesco Chicchi (Liquigas) on his win

My favorite moment came when I noticed Mark Cavendish pedaling slowly back towards me with a soigneur’s arm around his shoulder. The soigneur was leaning in closely, speaking to Cav in a very intimate manner. Neither of them was smiling and I realized that Cav was being consoled.

Mark Cavendish and his look of pain, suffering, and extreme disappointment

I was able to capture a few choice moments of congratulations and comfort from my vantage point and I honestly didn’t think things would get any better. After a few minutes, a course marshal approached and removed the barrier that was keeping spectators off the course. I asked if I could go through and pointed down the street to the finish line and was allowed to do so.

As I made my way down the street, I started getting the distinct feeling that I didn’t belong there. Trying to look as confident as possible with my camera in hand and Garmin-Transitions inspired messenger bag over my shoulder, I briskly approached the podium area. I was the only fan there, but nobody stopped me so I made myself comfortable.

Again, I struck gold. Dave Zabriskie was already on stage waiting to be presented with the leader’s jersey, something I missed in Sacramento. By the time the presentation began, many fans had filled in the gaping hole behind me. I just did my thing and enjoyed the moment. As each rider was presented with his jersey, he tossed his bouquet into the crowd. My first thought was, “I want DZ’s flowers!” Guess I missed the boat on that one. Each rider was throwing his flowers about five feet to my left. Oh well.

Dave Zabriskie (Garmin-Transitions) is golden

Eventually, Peter Sagan of Liquigas was brought on stage and presented with the jersey for Best Young Rider. After he received his kisses from the podium hostesses, he did a quick scan of the crowd. I don’t know what made me do it, but I raised my hand and waved. Imagine my surprise when he actually threw his flowers to me. The woman next to me reached in front of me to make a grab for them and we had a little scuffle, laughing. “We’re like bridesmaids at a wedding!” We ended up splitting the flowers, which was nice of her since he threw them to me in the first place.

Peter Sagan (Liquigas) receives the Best Young Rider jersey

I immediately tweeted, “I just got Liquigas Best Young Rider’s flowers.” (I was too excited to try to type an exclamation point, possibly kinda maybe shaking a little bit.  In fact, I don't recall using an apostrophe either.)

Totally gratuitous photo of Lars Boom because he's beautiful and has a cool name

When the presentation was over, I turned to leave and was stopped by a woman who asked, “Are you Michelle?” She held up her Blackberry and showed me the tweet I’d made about Sagan’s flowers. Turns out she was one of my tweeps, Jen (@jenfairfax), who was working as a course marshal for the Tour and is every bit as awesome in person. We got to talking and ended up sending D’Andrea a text to meet in the hotel bar for drinks.  D'Andrea brought me a Tour of California shirt... thanks!

Of course, the excitement didn’t stop there because Jen let me hold Jens Voigt’s water bottle that she picked up the previous day. The thing still had liquid in it!

My street cred went up about 17.38% because I held Jens Voigt's bottle

Yeah, I’d say it was a pretty exciting tour and I most certainly have fond memories and connections now.  I can't wait until next year!