D
doublenatural
Guest
I won't go into the details of the races as TV (unless you were in the US
for the men's race) and Cyclingnews covered that. I ensconced myself at
Kolonaki Tops, a cafe next to the course where the riders begin their ascent
up Lykavittos. Even though the cafe was shaded, fanned and water misted it
was still hot and humid for the mens race. Tops also had two large screen
TVs to show the race when it wasn't going past. BTW, they did not charge
extra for any of this as the menu was the same as it has always been and the
place wasn't even crowded. My dining companions were ignorant of cycling so
I provided some background complete with the requisite Sherwenisms (received
blank stares). Highlights - seeing the Americans looking pretty impressive
and then not doing that much (other then Hincapie who gave it a try), Igor G
de G dropping out right in front of me (he rode by looking punked, got to
the steep section and turned to ride back to the team tents), getting a
picture of Bettini ready to make his move 50 meters before he did, getting a
picture of Ullrich looking beat on the last lap (and making my pick of him
as the winner seem less than bright). Greek TV showed 95% of the whole
race.
The women's race was a cooler day, threat of thunderstorms that never
materialized and a shorter course (my lazy butt got tired sitting in the
chair for 6 hours). I know nothing about women's cycling so my companions
were spared my commentary. Greek TV did not show the whole race but the
last half. The crowds that I saw showed more enthusiasm for the women's
race. I did think there would be more people out on the course as it was
free to watch and easily accessible.
for the men's race) and Cyclingnews covered that. I ensconced myself at
Kolonaki Tops, a cafe next to the course where the riders begin their ascent
up Lykavittos. Even though the cafe was shaded, fanned and water misted it
was still hot and humid for the mens race. Tops also had two large screen
TVs to show the race when it wasn't going past. BTW, they did not charge
extra for any of this as the menu was the same as it has always been and the
place wasn't even crowded. My dining companions were ignorant of cycling so
I provided some background complete with the requisite Sherwenisms (received
blank stares). Highlights - seeing the Americans looking pretty impressive
and then not doing that much (other then Hincapie who gave it a try), Igor G
de G dropping out right in front of me (he rode by looking punked, got to
the steep section and turned to ride back to the team tents), getting a
picture of Bettini ready to make his move 50 meters before he did, getting a
picture of Ullrich looking beat on the last lap (and making my pick of him
as the winner seem less than bright). Greek TV showed 95% of the whole
race.
The women's race was a cooler day, threat of thunderstorms that never
materialized and a shorter course (my lazy butt got tired sitting in the
chair for 6 hours). I know nothing about women's cycling so my companions
were spared my commentary. Greek TV did not show the whole race but the
last half. The crowds that I saw showed more enthusiasm for the women's
race. I did think there would be more people out on the course as it was
free to watch and easily accessible.
