Policia
By Leslie Varsha

If you read my last blog, you’re aware that I was quite perturbed at the terrible traffic direction by the French Police at the Tour de France.  Trying to get into the TV compound in the morning was nearly impossible.  I was quite shocked and afraid when, on the drive to Barcelona, I saw a busload of French National Police being imported into Spain.  As it turns out, these police must have been going for a field trip because in the Spain and Andorra stages, the police have been native and extremely competent compared to their French neighbors.   

In Barcelona, our TV truck was parked right outside of the 1992 Olympic Stadium.  The day started partially cloudy, but soon went south when monsoon like rains poured over the TV compound.  Some electric charge from lightning sent our satellite truck into frenzy and somehow destroyed our host, Craig Hummer’s headset.  Everyone hustled and we were able to get the kinks worked out for the broadcast of Stage 6, but it’s a wonder how we pull it together sometimes.
 
The setting of stage seven’s mountain top finish in Andorra was celestial.  It was also the first mountain stage, which means the hardcore fans start turning out in droves.  If you were watching our Versus broadcast, the people you saw running along the riders with flags, devil costumes, etc were in place at 7:30AM as we drove up to the finish line.  The race didn’t pass by until around 4:45PM.  Point being, it takes dedication to be a fan in the mountains and there are thousands who come out to the tour. 

Our trip outside of France is over, at least until we get to the Alps.  The Tour is now a third of the way over and all of us on the crew are in desperate need for a rest day.  The driving on this year’s Tour de France is the furthest in Versus’ history which means we usually don’t arrive at our hotel until 11PM or later, but hey…I can’t complain.  I’m on the Tour de France.