Maindy Flyers 'On Tour'!

 

17th July, 2007

Posted by Ian Jenkins

Friday 6th July; Presentation of the teams.

The 94th running of 'Le Tour de France' has been something special right from the opening which began with the presentation of the teams in Trafalgar Square. The event was televised to 154 countries, with each and everyone watching having seen that we in the UK are as passionate about cycling as they are anywhere else on earth.
The atmosphere was fantastic as team after team came out onto the stage.

Among the estimated 20,000 that had made their way into the square were some of the most vocal of the Maindy Flyers, who had amazingly managed to weave their way through the dense crowd to where they could best make their presence known. The crowd showed their appreciation to all the riders but naturally British riders, Bradley Wiggins of the Cofidis team, T-Mobiles Mark Cavendish and Saunier Duval rider David Millar each received great receptions.

With only a handful of the teams still to be introduced, those people who found themselves anywhere near the Maindy Flyers could not help but notice that in the whole of Trafalgar Square there was one area that was quickly becoming the epicenter of enthusiasm!

Former Maindy Flyer Geraint Thomas on the big screen with Welsh flag flying high!

If there was any doubt then it was soon dispelled when Hugh Porter uttered the words: "Next up is the third of the Wild-Card teams" - there was a sudden increase in volume and many of those who had previously stood and quietly watched became infected, enthusiastically joining in. It is impossible to explain the emotion and so the old cliche of "You just had to be there" will have to do!

It truly was beyond belief; as the Barloworld team rode out to astonishing applause and zealous flag-waving the deafening screams echoed off the walls of the surrounding embassy buildings. When twenty one year old tour debutant Geraint Thomas raised an arm in acknowledgement of the support, the Welsh contingent took it up into their biggest gear in support of their former club-mate! It must for many have been an experience they'll never forget, to be there to let Geraint know the Principality is behind him and that when the going gets tough in the Alps or who knows perhaps even the Pyrenees; Geraint just might benefit from his memories of those of us willing him on.

 

    
Young Maindy Flyers showing support!          Flying the flag for Tour debutante Geraint!

As the last of the teams had been presented the crowd thinned a little and the group were met by many people who had seen the flags and heard the cheering during the presentation. It was nice to meet some of Geraint's relatives who came and introduced themselves; they told us that Geraint was starting at about 5.45pm tomorrow. We also met up with some other former Maindy Flyers who have now moved onto other clubs. The group were able to soak up the lingering atmosphere that continued following the terrific celebration and it was just got better and better as we were treated to a superb show from 'Fame Academy' success and Tottenham born R&B star Lemar whose band performed for another hour.

Saturday 7th July; Tour De France Prologue

The Prologue; a 7.9 km Time Trial started in Whitehall and followed Victoria Street, Buckingham Gate, Constitution Hill into Hyde Park for a loop around The Serpentine, out past Park Lane and Piccadilly, back down Constitution Hill before bearing left and finishing about half way along The Mall.

The Geraint Thomas Supporters Club (Cardiff Wales Branch) as it had become known situated itself in Hyde Park; about 200 metres before the tight bend at the end of Serpentine Road (the same turn that would cost Robbie McEwen time after he drifted wide and clipped one of the straw bales).

 

Cardiff - Wales branch of the Geraint Thomas Supporters Club preparing for action!

Members worked shifts to keep our spot along the route which allowed those who were not on watch to visit the Peoples Village; where plenty more Tour de France paraphernalia was being handed out. Many of the group had a go at the Go-Ride skills, roller racing and racing other teams to assemble a bike and get into a Lycra top and shorts that were a bit on the small side?

 

One of the Maindy Flyers supporters demonstrating their Go-Ride skills in the Peoples Village!

With so much to do, time seemed to fly and despite the group having staked their pitch at 10am it was soon time to take your place at the barrier and watch the riders trying out the course prior to the start of the Prologue at 3pm. Bradley Wiggins made at least three high speed test runs from holding onto the side of the team car, past us and through the bend. Geraint did two dry runs prior to his timed effort.

The barrier near us had moved forward since we arrived and periscopes which had been purloined from the 'Orange' publicity unit were being used to gain a peek out and around those who were obstructing the view. Even more Welsh flags than had been seen the previous evening were now evident. We were fortunate to have displayed just a few metres away from us a 'Start Sheet' from which we could see that Geraint was due off at 17.48. OK so you don't find your average 'Club Rider' in le tour but there were certainly some big guns starting just minutes before and after Geraint Thomas.

 

Spot the star! Apparently, some of the others are also quite good...

Again the excitement grew in our camp and there were times when some of the group expressed concerns about the possibility of a flag being dropped into the path of a rider so without further ado the young Maindy Flyers took the flag off their Chairman and asked him to sit down! Those situated near Team Maindy were treated to a tumultuous performance on a par with that given the previous evening. Geraint put in a storming ride to show he's certainly not out of his depth in this company, a fantastic ride which put him in 45th place of the 189 starters.

Sunday 8th July; Stage 1 London - Cantebury

Some senior members of the group were said to be carrying injuries sustained during the previous 48 hours - happily these were nothing serious; muscular aches and pains from excessive flag waving and the odd back spasm from being hugged during the excitement!
There was a suggestion that one was experiencing a headache and nausea after taking the whole 'continental thing' just too far and sampling an excess of Vin Rouge with their evening meal, although this cannot be confirmed?

Many had decided not watch along the stage route to Canterbury but to make their way towards the neutral roll out that started on Tower Bridge. A few stayed at the hotel to watch the start on television, others made their way to Victoria Embankment where again they managed to get themselves past less enthusiastic members of the crowd and right up to the barriers where they got some terrific photographs.

With the flags being waved high and proud there was no way Geraint couldn't have seen them, the Welsh flags were also noticed by a dignitary from 'Team Barloworld' who took time out to come and ask who we were supporting. He introduced himself and promised to forward some smaller sized Barloworld team kit given the enthusiastic commitment of Team Maindy's younger members!

The Peloton and Yellow Jersey roll past en route to Paris!

So as the peloton rolled past us, the group once again did their bit to make their presence known before making their weary way back to Cardiff. It's all behind us now but one thing's for sure - it's been a time that many of the Maindy Flyers, Cardiff, Wales or UK will always remember. Allez Geraint Thomas et vive le tour!

 

Alan Haycox - Maindy Flyers Chairman, July 2007.