Tour de France - Grenoble time trial

These were the motorcycle escorts that went out in pairs in front of each racer.  The gendarmes would complete the circuit with one racer and upon return prepare to escort another racer through the circuit.  I would rather be on the motorized bike myself.  :)

The launch ramp -- cyclists would appear in the circle, be announced, await the countdown, and then hit the circuit.  Every rider was cheered as they left -- some more loudly than others, but all were given the crowd's encouragement.

The press were everywhere -- they also had barriers up that made getting from one side of the race to the other a bit difficult.  We managed to find our way through the maze.  It rained in the morning before the start so the pavement is wet and there are puddles here and there.

See the 100 in a circle?  That is part of the countdown to the finish line (100m to go).  In the background that yellow arch across the photo is the finish.  The area with tables and umbrellas was for special invited guests or team members -- not open to the public.  Lots of people wearing credentials to be allowed into areas that were blocked off from everyone else.

Eye in the sky -- camera crane.  It was really up there and not much room to move about on the platform

The actual award platform -- at the end the winner's received their colored jersey's (yellow, green, spotted, and white) on this stage.

We were really close to the action when it came time for the racers to cross the finish line.

Here is a close-up of the finish line that was hinted at in a previous photo.  Vittel is a brand of bottled water here in France.  Festina 2 and 3 are TV channels.  On the top it says     2011 - Arrivee     Grenoble     More press boxes visible behind the finish line.

It was a very interesting experience.  There were people from all over with flags and signs for the racers they were supporting.  We met a lady from New Zealand and a man from Luxembourg on the way to the race.  The rain stopped early enough in the morning that the race did not have to be delayed and by the end of the afternoon the sun was out and it felt quite warm.  I would have wanted to be one of the earlier racers as conditions were a bit nicer (cooler) earlier in the day.  We left the race area and crowds to explore some of Grenoble while the racing continued, but got back to the finish in time to see the last few riders come across and the jerseys awarded.  Then we made our way back to the train and headed back to Roanne.  It was a fun day trip to Grenoble.