A break from the bike buying talk. I took my two boys to see the final stage of the Tour of Britain today. Lucas (8) later decided it was one of the best days of his life. [Update: He later claimed it was more because I let them have a MacDonalds than the racing!] Tommy (5) is a big Cav fan and while Lucas was happy to have got Mark's autograph after the race Tommy was less happy as he got squashed in the crush outside the HTC trailer and never caught a glimpse of his hero. Cavendish actually said 'Please stop pushing - I'm not an animal you know'. He also told a kid off for having bad manners. Fair point!
[Latest: Congrats to Cav for being the first British World Chamion since Tommy Simpson! Amazing team effort as well by Team GB]
We found a great spot 75 yards from the winning line and as there were ten laps the boys got plenty of chances to see the cyclist whizzing past. It was amazing seeing the HTC lead-out train in action for the last time in the UK, albeit in depleted form. One of the greatest sights in cycling I'd say. And one of the great teams of any sport.
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| Crucial Mark Renshaw lead out as ever |
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| Thor Hushovd displays the 2010 World Champions Jersey for the final time |
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Kristian House battling at the front with Ronan McLaughlin.
They worked well together for nine laps! |
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| Lars Boom in the winner's gold jersey, staying out of trouble. |
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| Mark C, very relaxed & upright when cruising, but very low when sprinting! |
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| 90 yards to go: Having slowed at the final bend by the Houses of Parliament because of the rain Cav left himself plenty to do and is back in 4th or 5th place on the very left of the picture. He still had enough in the legs to get to the front where he overhauled Robert Forster |
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50 yards to go: Cav moves past Geraint Thomas while Mark Renshaw takes
on Robert Forster at the front. Incredibly, Cav powered past the German and teamate Renshaw on the line. |
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| Lars Boom looks happy enough with his win |
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Cavendish seemed a bit down in the mouth 20 minutes after his victory when he emerged from the HTC trailer to sign autographs. 'End of an era' blues maybe? Maybe sad to have pipped his friend Mark Renshaw who wanted the win to make his case after his non-inclusion in the Australian team for the World Championships? But what a great way to bow out. And as for the future? Well we now now he went on to becoame Britain's first World Champion since Tommy Simson. And a friend of a friend works at Sky and says he signed some time ago. But who knows, maybe he'll end up at Robobank.
Gotta be odds on for BBC's Sports Personality Of The Years for sure though. Camera used: Nikkon D80
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