An innovation for the
2007 Tour. It started with
a prologue timetrial at Crystal Palace, but I
wasn't supposed to be there. Due to a mix-up,
I was informed that my services wouldn't be required
until the finish of the first road stage. So
it was arranged that the photofinish for the
support races at Crystal Palace would be done
by Dave Smith. Dave lives locally and is running
the old Eastway camera which Knocker used to
use. I would have a nice leisurely drive down
to Southampton.
How things change! I pulled in at Warwick services
on the M40 and my phone rang - it was Dave. He had problems and
needed a bit of advice. Although he could capture an image, it
was blurred and unreadable. I made a few suggestions, but it
still wouldn't work. The camera had just been returned after
repair and our opinion was that there was still some sort of
fault. The next question was "How soon can you get here?". Bang
went my cushy day!
It took me two hours but I arrived at Crystal Palace
in plenty of time for the major event prior to the
Tour prologue, the Bob Chicken London Grand Prix.
Thanks to Trevor Hughes, Chief Judge once again,
who met me at the gate with my accreditation and got
me through security.
Funny, but everyone I met commented "You're not supposed
to be here".
A quick change of camera and all was well. We ran
with just one camera, and as I didn't want to encroach
because it was, after all, Dave's job, he did the
rider identificaton with Trevor while I pressed the
button.
Still, it gave me chance to chill out a bit, and have a
brief look round. I was surprised that there were so
few spectators. The picture (above) shows how thin
on the ground they were. In the background are the
remains of the old Crystal Palace.
One thing which was commented on was the fact that HS Sports were not there. One of their clocks was on the gantry but the people themselves were not on site. Hence no electronic timing. I don't know whether or not there was some sort of confusion, or whether there was a falling-out.
After the London GP was over I packed up the van and managed to get out of the circuit before the prologue. At least I would get to Southampton at some sort of reasonable time.
The usual team would be together once again. Seamus Shortall
(results), Trevor Hughes (chief judge), Kannan (assisting
both Seamus and myself) and then me. Last year's report
outlined how we interact with each other, so I won't
repeat that. Instead I will outline a typical day with
some images from the various stages.
I get there early. Very early! The crews who erect
the finish line equipment will arrive on site around
0600, and I try to be there with them.
The advantage of this is that it is easier getting
into a city centre when the traffic is light and
before the road closure starts to cause chaos. Another benefit is that
I can usually park the van with the other technical vehicles. It's so
much easier when everything I need is close to hand. Helps with a
quick getaway as well!
Then I carry the kit I need into our unit. I can
connect the laptop, monitor and hub, and the cables
which go downstairs (data and Lynx capture). The
latter are left in situ all week. When the power
comes on I can switch on and test that part of
the kit
(above).
Then there's a long wait while the towers are built and the gantry
put across the road. When that's done, my reel of data cable is run across
for the camera on the far side.
The low level gantry is shown on the right, and the cable reel below left.
The picture (below right) shows the cables coming out of our vehicle.
Now for another lengthy break while all the branding is put on the gantry before it
can be raised to its' full height.
When that's done, I fix the lengths of aluminium angle to the towers and fasten the cameras on.
Now, it's not easy setting the cameras in position, and Kannan took this picture
(left) to indicate just how much of a contortionist you have to be.
It takes quite a bit of time aligning each camera, because obviously they have to be
looking along the same bit of the finish line. How did I do it this year? I will keep
that to myself for the time being!
Time for the cameras to be switched on and
tested, although I don't normally spend much time on getting the picture spot-on at
this stage. The light will vary so much between now and the approach of the race that
there is not much point.
Whatever is going on at 1000, everything stops for the
daily meeting with Mick Bennett, the Technical Director. This is also time for
breakfast in the hospitality area, because most of the early starters will have had
to miss the hotel breakfast. Very welcome indeed.
Things are building up a bit
now. Seamus and Kannan will have set up the results operation, and Seamus will have
connected into my network so that he can pass me the daily file of riders for that stage.
He will use the same process to drag the completed result file from my laptop to his, and then compile the full stage and
overall result.
Late morning and now I play around with the picture a bit and test on people walking past.
If the light changes frequently I spend more time than usual on this, but still manage
to 'go walkabout' occasionally. With the race about an hour away, Trevor arrives and
gives us the rundown on events so far. Now I stay close and continue to monitor the
cameras. Kannan is also close to hand to do the button bit for me.
After the race has come in and the result obtained, Kannan shuts down the cameras and
packs them away. He then joins Seamus to help on that side. I can now shut up shop and
pack the kit away in the van. My bit's done, so I'm off to the next hotel.
With quite a bit of 'spare' time I have the opportunity of watching how the rest of the
race equipment is put together. The main hospitality units are supplied by a Dutch
company, Movico, who have a fleet of custom-built vehicles which travel all over Europe
and even go on the Tour de France.
There were two on the race this year.
One stayed with us for all the finishes, while the other covered the stage starts. At
Glasgow for the final stage, both units were set up.
Impressive, eh? Both Movico vehicles together
(right) providing hospitality at Glasgow.
The drivers were probably the best I have seen. Very skilful in getting their vehicles into and
out of, some very tight spots.
We were regaled with stories of how they sometimes had to
reverse for several kilometres down mountain passes in France because there was nowhere to turn.
The driver of 'our' Movico did put his foot down when asked to park on soft grass at Kendal, though!
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Ever
wondered what stops the towers and gantry
falling over? They are weighted down with
four tanks which are filled with water, courtesy
of the local fire brigade. |
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Downstairs in our unit. A powerful PA system
(sometimes causes havoc with photofinish!) in the corner. The race
commentator sits alongside. |
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Seen
all those advertising boards lining the finish on TV? It takes a fully laden
truck to transport them all. |
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Here's three pictures
from what I think was the most
attractive setting for our race finishes this year. Believe it or not this is
Bradford, Lister Park to be precise. The rather impressive building is
Cartwright Hall art gallery.
The well maintained gardens are known as
the Mughal Gardens, and were modelled on those developed in India by
the Mughal Dynasty between the 16th and 19th Centuries. Who said I was a
complete Philistine?
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On the
banks of the River Clyde the evening before the final stage. Taken outside
our hotel, it shows how the city has been transformed in recent years. |
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It wouldn't be Scotland without a pipe band. Entertainment on the line before
the race comes in. |
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Seamus, looking relaxed after a successful final day. He can afford to slow
downa bit now. There's a better picture of us all later. |
Last year I mentioned that Sheffield had erected a statue of Kannan to commemorate
his visit.
Well, this year, the race organisation decided to give him a car with his name
on.
What a pity they got the spelling wrong!
The annual family photograph seems to contain fewer people every year.
Left to right
Seamus, Kannan, John
