Season 2014

[Bierzo Baggie]

"Surreal" yes, that's the word. There are a few tales, all from the back of the peloton and beyond which I'll do my best to tell.

The women's road race was excellent and I'll certainly be watching Mrs Glaconman's film as soon as I finish writing this...

The 89 Tour has sometimes been labelled as the greatest of all time. I think Stephen Roche's victory a couple of year's before is up there too though.
I'm sure I took a photo of Hinault in the race director's car, hadn't he retired by then? 89 was between Lemond, Fignon and Pedrico Delgado with Fignon losing yellow on the very last day! A 19-year old Bierzo Baggie was at the penultimate stage at Aix Les Bains having ridden out there from the UK. The last few days have brought back memories actually, particularly of the cycling freaks from all over world. Remember playing football with a bunch of Irish lads outside a youth hostel. They were following Sean Kelly who won the points jersy about 5 times (and Roche who had pulled out with a knee injury by then I think). In Ponferrada there were loads of Belgians and Norwegians who very nearly drank the town dry!

Enjoy the men's race. It rained and fewer than half the field finished although that might be normal for the world championships.