Tour de France 2012

As Cancellara convincingly wins the Italian "hard man's race", Strade Bianche, thoughts are turning to the Spring Classics, and inevitably, the 2012 Tour de France. The 2012 tour actually starts in Liege this year, a nod to the 1-day Classics and their importance in the racing calendar. The 2012 TDF takes a clockwise route this year, so the teams will hit the Alps in the second week, before coming down the the plains of the coastal region of Languedoc, before entering the Pyrennees in week 3.  

Notably for those who will be holidaying in Languedoc during that time, the 215km Stage 13 will finish in the celebrated resort of Cap d'Agde, (only 25 minutes from Pézenas) on Saturday 14th July. 

The last time the tour touched on the Cap (2009), Thomas Voeckler won the stage, and naturally, it being Bastille Day, the French will be expecting something special.

My husband's girlfriend....

People often have a funny reaction when I mention that my husband's girlfriend always comes on holidays with us, and here is a photo of his precious companion, his pride and joy Cervélo.

She's the cycling equivalent of an 18 year old Spanish au-pair: young, sexy, attracts attention, and importantly, doesn't nag or answer back.  So how have I long accepted my status as Cycling Widow? Well there's that old saying if you can't beat them, join them. So let me introduce my cycling "raison d'etre", newly appointed Leopard Team member, Fabian Cancellara, aka Spartacus, as he's known in the cycling community. I wonder why?

 

Of course, if you check out some video footage of this guy, you will see his true divinity - in interviews, he's funny, loyal, and "nice". Yes, and happily married. A great team player, an all rounder!

Here's a 4 minute montage of his 2010 victories, entitled "Fabian Cancellara is God". No exaggeration then.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcNBkQXPFog&feature=related

I'm really looking forward to the Classics in March/April to see if Fabian can repeat his victories, and of course the Tour de France in July will be a 3 week window to gaze and ponder his divine status..... It's a shame that we won't be in Pézenas this July to see him (and the rest of the Tour) pass through on the way from Limoux to Montpellier, but it would probably be too much for me anyway!

If Fabian is the new Leopard, does that make me a cougar?????