The Photofinish Camera is ready to do its share of the job.
And so is the podium, eager to get filled
by something (someone) else than
those dishes.
And so are cycling legend Bernard Hinault (R)
and the Mayor of Cannes
town (L), both waiting
to play their part in the Award Ceremony after the stage.
Oops, he caught me!
It's okay, Monsieur Bernard, I wasn't badmouthing
you ;)
Finally, around 04:00 PM... the winner came to town.
Kazakhstan's new
cycling sensation Andrey Kashechkin
crossed the line at the end of a winning solo breakaway.
Ah, sometimes it's so hard to be a rider.
BUT SOMETIMES IT'S JUST
A GOOD THING!!
Kashechkin on the Podium (flowers included) Part Two ...
And Part Three (the "gimme that damn applause" one).
After the stage victor, it's time to pay hommage
to the GC leader, and future race winner.
Here's Mr. FLOYD LANDIS!
Floyd's last (and toughest) effort of the day:
to put the yellow jersey on.
A U.S. rider in yellow, leading a French race,
gets flowers and a lion
puppet;
hmmm, where have we seen this before?
Landis raises his trophies.
After the blue (Liberty Seguros) and the yellow (Landis),
it's time for us to
enjoy something green.
The green of Sprint Dictator Tom Boonen!
We usually get a front view of him.
His rivals usually get a back view of him.
But
here's something unusual: a side view of him.
Next was the only French character in today's stage movie
(Sylvain
Chavanel aside, but there was no final glory
for the brave Cofidis rider who finished 2nd): KOM leader
Christophe
Laurent, here wearing his polka-dot jersey.
Liberty Seguros figured on the Cannes podium again,
courtesy of Luis Leon
Sánchez, the top placed Young Rider
More from the Spanish boy, and his
struggle to have his sky blue jersey
on.
Once Luis Leon Sánchez had his "battle" won,
the ceremony was over, and the Race to the Sun circus,
this Phonak team car included, moved towards Nice,
start and finish town of the next day's final stage.
