Well its finished and what a wonderful tour its been this year. What with Cav getting his record 35th win, Biniam Girmay being the first African to win a stage and the Green Jersey. And the battle between the top four tour riders in the world its been a great event.
The only thing which spoils it for me is the way the riders discard their drink bottles and food rappers into the road and hedges. Why do they do it ?. I know a lot of spectators pick up the bottles as souveniers but i'm sure most just end up in the hedge rows. I know there are dedicated litter drop areas along the routes as well. But not much heed is taken of these from what i've noticed.
I've even noticed riders who've returned to their respective team car for fresh bottles and instead of handing back their empties to the driver they throw them into the roadside. One time a rider received a food bar from the car, took one look at it and decided he didn't want it and instead of handing it back just dropped it into the road.
I've always thought the 'broom wagon' was for scooping up riders the can't meet the cut off time not to actually sweep the road as well.
Anyway i still enjoyed the race.
Alan