When I booked and planned this holiday, there had been no thoughts of seeing the race on Stage 10. In fact, the first time I had the idea was after meeting Toms on the rest day, when I casually said that it wasn’t that far to the start of the stage. I wasn’t shot down in flames! Just some quizzical looks. The thought remained just that. After a few drinks with evening meal, the subject was raised again, and, with the flow of alcohol continuing, a plan was hatched to get up and watch the stage.
The morning broke, with clouds and a chance in the forecast for rain, then thunderstorms. Undeterred, packed some lunch to do sightseeing in the area afterwards, we set off, thou did have an umbrella in the car, just in case! The trip to the start was due to take 1hr 34 mins according to Google, but after yesterdays calculations by them I was unsure. We set off and soon on the motorway there were support vehicles from some of the teams that had been staying further afield in Alacant, we pressed on. Then Bahrain Merida convoy appeared ahead, so we knew we must be in time to arrive at the start.
We arrived at Caravaca, got parked in a side street not far from the start village. Walked back to the area and got the camera out to take some pictures of the event..
The team buses, support vehicles were all parked along the open roadside, it was possible to get up close to the equipment and have a nose.
What other sport can you do that in? The camera was in overdrive as walked past the teams on both sides of the road. Heaven!
At some, riders were already warming up for the days stage, others were still on their respective team buses, while still others had already begun the task of signing on for the stage. Cannondale had their bikes leaning up against the bus. I counted and could only get to 8! I recounted and still only 8, so I started checking numbers, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 97, 98 and 99. Something was terribly amiss… then a staff member brought round another bike and all was then well, Toms bike had arrived!
The biggest cheer that occurred while we were at the sign on was for Alberto Contador. Despite the fact that by now the rain was quite heavy, he seemed totally relaxed and enjoying the occasion as he waved to the crowd, before heading to the start line.
When I say that all the team buses were accessible, their was 1 exception, you couldn’t get near the Team Sky bus, not that I really wanted to, as none of my favourites from the team were riding the Vuelta, having both been injured earlier in the season. I hear that 1, Geriant Thomas is down to return to racing at the Tour of Britain, but I digress and that is for another day.
We headed back to the main area, stopping at the village on the way, partly to shelter from the rain, which was now persistent, and partly to see what was on offer. The usual replica shirts were much in evidence, and the price variations were extreme.The opportunity to imitate the World Champion in Bora-Hansgrohe colours or Team Sky black are just a case in point.
The rain eased off and we headed not to the actual start, but the neutralised zone out of town. We waited for the event to begin, and the convoy of police motorbikes and cars began. The competitors were on their way! Followed by the support vehicles, buses, organisation vehicles and more police.
The race had begun! The weather was very wet, and was going to be a long day of rain.
We headed into the town hoping the weather would improve, in order to see the town properly and enjoy a couple of hours browsing the attractions. Alas, that wasn’t the case, so we had a coffee, allowed the traffic to subside and headed back to Alacant.
In conclusion, if you get the chance to visit a Grand Tour, JUMP AT IT, you wont regret it. These 3 stages that we have seen have been great, from mid stage on 8, the finish 1km on 9 and the start on 10. Which would I chose to be the best to see? The start for opportunity to walk around and view the bikes and riders at close quarters, the finish for an amazing atmosphere, and the mid stage to see the event in full flow and spaced out over several minutes. I was at the finish of the Tour in Harrogate, which now seems an age ago, these few days have quite probably surpassed that. Which I hadn’t thought would be possible. This is in so small part to the interaction that I have been able to enjoy with Toms Skujins. Even in the heat of the event and the bombshell over the future of the team, he has been more than happy to reply to messages, meet me and make the few days an experience that will stay with me for a very long time, Thank you Toms, I hope the future becomes secure, you deserve it for putting up with me hounding you!
White Bridge 