The day began every cloudy in Bristol with more rain and winds forecast for the day, with Cardiff not escaping the weather being only across the Severn Estuary. We decided that we would still go, but to take wet weather gear as one does in the UK, whatever the season!
Headed over the Second Severn Crossing and into Wales. The rain began, but only light drizzle. We got to Cardiff and my intention had been to use an open air car park that was close to the racing circuit. There were road closures. as you would expect on holding a road race in the city centre. This meant that there were queues to get near the race course, so a quick recalculation and headed back out from the north of city and headed to the west and the other side of the River Taff. Having parked the car, we headed to cross the river near the Principality Stadium, only to get caught up in some fun run thing, didn’t these runners KNOW there was an important road race taking place later? Or did they take advantage of the road closures?
With weather not that great, we headed for some food first and then a wander up to the race village, there was the usual stalls selling wares from the different sponsors.. only one that I was tempted with, maybe two. A new Skoda Superb and a Skoda race bike- neither had any realistic chance of finding their way back home later in the day!
So, we arrived in the technical area, and here on Museum Avenue, the team vehicles were beginning to line up on both sides of the road. This is always a great opportunity to have a nose and look round.
It was clear the difference in budgets of those teams from the World Tour and those from lower levels in the pecking order.
We decided to head towards the finishing line to watch the activities and prepare for the arrival of the race.. The closest that we could get was about 100m past the finish line, what a difference from the Tour de France in Harrogate where we we on the line. Here, it was cordoned off for hospitality on one side and media centre on the other. There is a huge open green space to the rear of the line that they could have happily put hospitality and knocked up some big screens in case any actually wanted to watch the race. But I’m not the organiser…
While we waited the weather did its best to disrupt the day, with a sudden heavy shower of rain. This lasted about 10 mins and within another 10 the sun was out, doing its best to dry the roads before the race arrived. Umbrellas up, and down. Race jackets for the riders out and then put away again.
The race was to cross the finishing line 3 times, with the second crossing being the last intermediate sprint of this years OVO Tour of Britain. Out on the course from the start in Worcester, the race had fractured, with the peleton in two complete separate groups. If the second group were more than 7.30 minutes down on entry to the course they would be stopped so as not to inhibit the race.
The first crossing of the line saw the escape cross a few seconds ahead of the peleton, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQ6golvZ2Yw but by the sprint, on the second crossing it was all back together. Along with the bell to signify the race was entering the last lap of 7km for the entire race. The sprint was won by Michal Kwiatkowski of Team Sky. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA6VrUHXQVk
The team cars followed the riders around the streets of Cardiff for the last time.
The riders went back out onto the course, and the next time we saw them would be the finish. The big screen was showing the action as it happened out on the circuit. Edwald Bosen Hagan made a dash for it and powered away from the peleton with about 3km to go. It seemed a forlone hope, but as is the way with EBH he perservied. Under the Flamme Rouge with a slender margin, there were two 90 degree right hand bends to contend with before the finishing straight. Still ahead. The crowd began banging on the boards again, as he came down the straight, they were almost on him. He held them off for a well deserved win.
EBH crosses the finishing line with win for DimensionData, ahead of Ariel Richeze of QuickStepFloors and Alexander Kristoff of KatushaAlpecin in third
Had EBH not been penalised early in the race for a deviation in the sprint and lost his bonification seconds, he would have won the overall by 2 seconds, as it was the overall went to Lars Boom.
The rush was on to get in front of the stage to see the presentations of the winners. we weren’t quick enough! so headed back to the technical area. Here the teams were already washing down the bikes after the days racing in assorted weather. Some were more though than others, and while some were still cleaning, other teams were nearly all packed and ready to leave! We headed back to the carpark where the car was parked and began out journey home. Again in pouring rain. While travelling along the M4 we overtook and couple of team vehicles, thou with the weather, pictures through the windscreen were not practical so quickly opened side window but pictures werent great due to close proximity. Notice to traffic control, let us have the motorway to ourselves to get decent pictures of the vehicles on the move!
White Bridge 