99th Tour de France

Few events arouse as much enthusiasm world wide as the Tour de France, an event unparalleled on the sporting calender. A road race requiring both physical commitment, and physical punishment unknown in most sports. A commitment of some 22 days of concentration and stamina if a rider is to avoid injury, let alone finish. This is one of the world's most watched events by an audience who for the most part, have not ridden a bicycle since childhood.

This year's Tour has a special interest for many Australians, not only has the country  it's first tour winner taking part, but the country has it's first National Team in the form of Greenedge. It remains to be seen whether Cadel Evans, as the oldest Tour winner since World War Two, is able the defend his title. A race of some 3630 kms takes on the dimensions of a modern day pilgrimage.  All this suffering and heroism would not be out of place in a pilgrimage to the Holyland during the Middle Ages.

Overlaying the event, we have a high priest in the form of Phil Ligget who guides the viewer with both a rich dialogue and evaluation of tactics, as the riders wind their way up and down mountains, around and through villages, while he casts a historic eye on passing chateaus and sights of interest. These riders are travelling at some 40 to 50 plus kms per hour, and anything can happen. Hardly a day passes without a pile up, broken bones, not to mention many bloody grazes and dislocated bones.

The Tour also has a somewhat voyeur aspect, many female friends have expressed their pleasure at viewing the shaved, bronze legs and arms of the contestants. then there are participants articulating their dreams, while they resign themselves to reality. A Greek Drama could not present more. In the background the possibility of a raid by the drug squad or some other internal intrigue. I would love to have watched the early Tours, when riders refreshed themselves at local bars and cafes on route.

The Tour is the ultimate reality show, played out on that vast stage called rural France, where only the strongest will survive. What I enjoy most is the modern coverage of the race,  the viewer is effortlessly moved back and forth from breakaway group to peloton, set in a background of mountain and, ruined castles, where these young, lean riders strut their stuff. The event brings out the best and worst of human nature,  riders at one level have great concern for each other, while commiting themsleves totally to try and win for their team. Personally, I don't understand much about the rules, but there is obviously a considerable amount of tactics envolved. Your team rider has total loyality.

Then there are the crowd who line the route, on top of mountains, many trying the catch their moment of glory in the sun. How the riders find their way through this throng is hard to imagine, but they do. These fans often wait for hours in the wind and rain, waiting for their heros to appear, but they are all heros in different ways. So, as the peloton, packed like sardines in a tin, speed down the road, the voices of Liggett and Sherwin draw everything together, such is the Tour de France.