Wowie! I (along with AuntieK and Lifesgreat and I think sulis) volunteered at Stage 1 of the Tour of Utah today. This is a big deal for Utah racing. We had quite a wild weather day. These guys were amazing.
It was nice when the stage started but quickly turned stormy. I was a course marshal and at my first course point the wind was blowing so hard I could barely stand up. The dust caused zero visibility at times. So imagine brutal cross winds, dust, and heavy rain.
The good news is the weather passed (as mountain weather does) and the riders were able to finish with a circuit in downtown Provo with a pretty impressive crowd. Sergey Lagutin took the stage and the young rider's jersey and the KOM (I believe). I wasn't able to attend the whole ceremony as I was "working" and got back to the start after the ceremony had already started. That boy has some quads, let me tell you!
I didn't get many pictures as I was busy wrangling loose dogs, stopping traffic, and cheering the riders on. I wish I could volunteer the rest of the week instead of work. It was quite a fun time. I wanted to get a picture of myself with some hunky, sweaty pro cyclist but it didn't happen. :p Maybe on Friday or Saturday.
Here are the team cars at the start:
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c1...ourUtah001.jpg
And the peloton at my second station (after the rain and wind passed):
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c1...St1peloton.jpg
And here's darling young Sergey on the podium:
http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c1...ourUtah027.jpg
Fun!!! :D :D
