Tour de France 2012 - The Motorcycles |
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File under France Racing
Author: Mike Werner
Location: Normandy, France
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As luck would have had it, the 2012 Tour de France  passed along my house by some 500 meters, enough for me to have a look. Some 6 hours were spent there, 3,000 photos taken, and now many hours of sorting, editing and publishing. It'll take a long time to show you what it looks like being a "spectator" alongside the road of the Tour, so to keep you busy, here's just "some" of the motorcycles that can be found.
There are some 200 bicycles in the race, and at least the same number of motorcycles, maybe even more. I've divided up the motorcycles per category; police, official and press.
Here are 31 photos of the motorcycles in the Tour de France.
POLICE
I counted some 70 police motorcycles, many belonging to the Republican Guard, the elite group of cops that normally escort the President of France and other dignitaries. Only two types of motorcycles are used, BMW and Yamaha.
PRESS
The "official" press, normally pool photographers, were on official motorcycles, which are all Kawasaki. The rest were on their own bikes, usually BMW, but one lonely Triumph and one scooter.
I wonder why there are not any more scooters? At the speeds they go, a scooter should be easier to handle.
texting....SMS time
Having a nice discussion between colleagues...
Live radio...
Not an easy job riding while someone stands behind you shifting a heavy camera.
OFFICIALS
Kawasaki are a main sponsor for the Tour, so all official motorcycles are Kawasaki.
Water carrier for the thirsty cyclist who can't get to their own supply.
More water and energy snacks for the cyclists.
First medical aid in case of accidents, a busy group of people.
...and this is what it look like when the main group passes through..
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