Tour of Britain 2011 (Stage 2 Blackpool)
 

A bit of a fail this one unfortunately! Up nice and early for a trip to Blackpool to see the Stage 2 finish on the prom and hopefully a Mark Cavendish win on the line. Checked the internet to make sure all still going ahead as windy(!) weather forecast, yep still on, so left at 9am. Driving up M6, a bit blustery but a decent enough day with some decent sunshine. Just before Charnock Richard saw a Sean Kelly Team van going opposite direction, closely followed by Team Sky and Rabobank lorries. Thought it was slightly odd, but maybe they were just heading to tomorrow's stage start at Stoke to set up. Still thought the same when the Leopard Trek, Sigma Sport and Europcar lorries went past too :???:

Anyway, make it too outskirts of Blackpool and on the local radio they announce the stage has been cancelled due to the strong winds, ooops!!

Went to the seafront anyway (with difficulties, boy was it windy, could hardly stand up), the finish was all set up and the announcer confirmed the news, but also that Mark Cavendish would still be making an appearance. Woohoo! So anyway, a few pics of what was there anyway!

Rough looking Blackpool sea

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ackpool014.jpg

Police Bikes

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ackpool011.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ackpool010.jpg

Leopard Trek Car (driver was getting a real dressing down from one of the police outriders for a dangerous overtake and was threatened with being thrown off the tour)

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ackpool004.jpg

Garmin Cervelo Car (any bikes spare?)

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ackpool006.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ackpool005.jpg

Sigma Sport Car

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ackpool013.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ackpool012.jpg

HTC Highroad Car (picture of the person it delivered further down)

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ackpool009.jpg

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ackpool008.jpg

Neutral Service Car

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ackpool001.jpg

Mark Cavendish (2011 Tour De France green jersey winner and ToB race leader getting mobbed!)

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ackpool002.jpg

Re: Tour of Britain 2011 (Stage 2 Blackpool)
 

http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/a...ackpool014.jpg

Nice pics but glad we're over here where the weathers over 20deg :sunny:

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-D...s/s512/046.JPG

Re: Tour of Britain 2011 (Stage 2 Blackpool)
 

Ha ha, Cavendish said summat similar yesterday. He abandoned the Vuelta as it was too hot and then he rode 100+ KMs in wind, rain and 15 degrees. No middle ground it would appear :D