The Lance factor

We headed over to Adelaide for stage 4 of the Tour Down Under - Burnside Village to Angaston, the main reason for us going was that I really wanted to see Lance Armstrong race. We flew into Adelaide 8am and out at 8pm, grabbed our little hire car from the airport and headed off in pursuit of Lance.

Before we went I purchased a Lance Armstrong poster with the thought that I would get to Lance for an autograph. Previously when we have been to the TDU we have got so close to the riders, I have a photo of Cadel Evans with his arm around me taken in about 2003. However David tried to reset my expectations  - there would be lots of security around Lance and I probably wouldn't get his autograph. David would know how disappointed I would be – and he is the one that would have to bear my disappointment. I also had 2 jerseys Silence-Lotto and Predictor-Lotto for Cadel's autograph.

Anyway we decided to have our first stop at Sprinton a good photography point a few km past the first sprint and where the riders turned. Three riders had a good break on the field and then the rest of the peloton were together. I was 100% focused on Lance, finding him in the pack.  I did not think I would react that way, I am a huge Stuart O'Grady and Robbie McEwen fan and did not even see them – I was blinded.

Our next stop was on Menglers Hill, the KOM we positioned ourselves a few hundred meters from the KOM were the riders were still climbing. Again there was a break, down to 2 riders. Next was a chasing group of about 5 or 6 riders one being Matthew Lloyd  - I did cheer for him. Next was the peleton and Lance. This time David also decided to watch Lance rather than through the camera lens. Again I was totally focused on Lance.

Our last stop was the finish line at Angaston. There were huge crowds as the social ride was on that day finishing at Angaston. I headed near the finish line with my poster in the tube and my permeant market – I had 2 missions: see the finish and find Lance. Well I was lucky, given how short I am I need to get on the fence to see anything, I got a fence position just were the support cars pulled off the road - although not on the line I saw the riders sprint to the finish. My next mission: Lance!

Given I was were the car pulled off I just followed the road around walked straight past all other teams and was standing on the edge of the media scrum waiting for Lance. Then this hand  grabbed my arm quite firmly and asked for my media pass – I didn't have one, I just walked down the road. Mr security told me to go back were I had come from. Well that would have taken too long, I squeezed through the fence and ran back around a park behind the support cars – I was now behind the fence. But Lance had already done some autographs and was now talking to the media – were I had just been removed from. The ladies beside me said just wait, he might come back. I had the poster out and pen ready. They then said he might go as he had his backpack on ready for a quick exit. They said come back tomorrow – well I was flying home, they then tried to get Lance's team, mates to help me but no go. Now I was getting disappointed – so close but so far. Once he finished with the media I pleaded with Lance to sign, he came back and signed my poster. I thanked him, wished him all the best and then there was a few words between a guy behind me, Lance and I about going to NZ. 

Anyway I had talked to Lance and he signed my poster - I was shaking. I was so excited, this modern day cycling legend was a few feet from me and I talked to him. I had got more than I came for.  The poster was tucked back into the tube and did not leave my sight. I have been asked if I will keep it or sell it on e-bay, I write with certainty this will not be sold unless I am desperate for money. It's off to the framers and will hang beside my signed Eddy Merckx wall hanging.

Unfortunately I didn't see Cadel, so I will wait until my next opportunity to get the jerseys signed, again these are for keeps and will get framed just like our Robbie McEwen and Stuart  O'Grady jerseys.