Roadside Rest Day: Every Tour de France Ed Hood picks the week that takes in the last rest day and we know why: The Quick-Step ‘Mussel Party’ is something he will not miss. In fact I’ve heard they won’t have it if Ed isn’t coming, or at least buy less mussels and beer. He also visited the MTN-Qhubeka and Lampre-Merida teams on his Tour ‘rest day’.It’s a misnomer, the riders have to endure endless conversations with guys like me – and for guys like me it’s a rare opportunity to meet riders and personnel in a relaxed atmosphere.Oh yeah! – and for us to eat mussels and french fries – and drink beer.First up we have to get from Embrun back to Gap and there’s no way you can forget that the Tour is in the area as we pass the MTN boys out for a pedal.‘Hey Ghebri!’ We get a smile and a wave from Kudus Ghebremedhin; it must be nice just to pedal and not have MTN main man Brian Smith screaming in your ear; ‘get with that move, man!’Quick-Step are bunked with Lampre and – dang me! There’s yesterday’s stage winner, Rubens Plaza; big, tall, slim, tanned – and that boy can talk. If the mechanics didn’t know how he wanted his bike before he started that rap, they do now.Meanwhile, Pippo and the boys are coming back from their rest day spin and it’s obvious it’s the rest day, they’re enjoying just being out on their...
View the full article
View the full article
