we didn’t attempt to catch the riders early in the stage today, instead we just hung out at the finish line. after checking out the expo in the parking lot near the finish we grabbed a spot on a small downhill at the end of the 4 lap, 4 mile, figure eight finishing section. our spot was opposite the finish line so we had time to move over to “attempt” to watch the final sprint if we wanted. once the riders entered the figure eight finishing section the crowd went kind of crazy. they were running back and forth to the opposite side of the track to catch the riders at different points. i think they spent more time running and trying to find a spot then actually watching the race. we didn’t feel like jockeying for spots in the hopes we could get some shots, instead we wanted to actually enjoy the race.


the riders were flying by at a very fast pace so a few of the pictures that we took came out blurry, but it was a lot of fun just watching. during the laps i hard 2 wheel blowouts on the downhill turn just to the right of us. we didn’t see the outcome but we did see a few riders trailing pretty far behind the main peloton. i can’t imagine what it must be like to have a blowout in the final kilometers of the final stage when your tired, in pain, and weak from riding in the heat all day. keeping control of my bike is about all i could hope for at that point.


after the four laps we moved over to the finish in an attempt to see something but the crowds were really thick. the most we could see was the peloton off in the distance riding down the slight hill and beginning the slight uphill finishing accent. in case you didn’t already know, gord fraser, a domestic rider on the health net team, won the stage race beating out mario cipollini (the european sprinting sensation) for the win. it was insane seeing how fast they were sprinting into the finish … i can only describe it as breathtaking.


it was a ton of fun experiencing the stage finish and i’d do it again in a second. i’m definitely going to try to make it again next year, perhaps for the entire week this time. i hope amy can catch a few stages next time.


if your interested you can check out a few pictures from tour de georgia stage 7. there are pictures mixed in there from myself, brian, and chuck. for more stage 7 information check out the cycling news coverage.