Tour De France 2007 @ London

21 teams, 189 bikers, ONE ambition - Tour de France 2007 !

In the 104 years of history of Tour de France - first time race started in England at the heart of London City. This was 07/07/2007 - where more than million people got together to witness Tour de France Prologue. It was so exciting to be one of the crowd.. cheering the bikers and see them make record.. 7.9km (From Whitehall to House of Parliament to Buckinghm Palace to Hyde park to Greenwich) in approx 9 mins. Wow !! They just went so fast at speed of 55km/hr. It was just amazing ! I was thinking about Lance Armstrong (another Austinite) and the unbeatable winner of Tour de France SEVEN (1999-2005) consecutive Years... (OK! I know, we all know about him and his success story and for the ignorant few probably this could be of some help - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lance_Armstrong).. Well, I was thinking how he did it.. why did he retire in 2005, else I could have seen him today and witnessed that energy, zeal, passion to win be what come !!
Whatever said and done.. I was having the time of my life watching Tour de France (most prestigious bike race) for REAL at Hyde Park in London.

So all this time, German guy was topping the charts during the Prologue.. The crowd roared, cheered, clapped as the Londoner hit the track but he made to the third position.. That was when world champion Cancellara (Swiss), holding the Yellow jersey, with CSC team broke all the records by completing the track in less than 9 mins. He just did wonders! It was just few seconds and he made it...

Let's see who'll make the running, win who may!

Next day - Stage1 began... Fans, both young and old and from Britain and abroad, began lining the 203 kilometre route from London to Canterbury, Kent from early on Sunday morning. Luckily again it was a bright sunny day (ideal English summer)!
McEwen, an Australian with the Predictor team, was caught in a crash with 23 kilometers, or 14 miles, to go and, with the help of teammates, made his way slowly back to the front.
With 80 meters to go and the 188-man pack surging to the line, McEwen was battling for the lead. The Australian then turned on his afterburner and won easily. It was the 12th victory in his Tour career. Phew.. Another inspiration from Armstrong ?!?!

And as the stages continue, as Le Tour de France proceeds- many bikers crash and break their bones, block the roads but still many of them rise (not giving up hope) and take up the challenge to swiftly speed up on their bikes to the one common goal....'Live Free or Die Hard' !!!!

I will return to Tour de France again !!!
PS: For more images visit- http://www.letour.fr/2007/TDF/LIVE/us/100/images.html (Official site)