To attend the departure of the 12th stage of the large loop, many families have chosen to post at the foot of the famous Gers monument. Before encouraging the peloton, the objective of the day was mainly to collect the most gadgets and accessories as possible …
Dotch jerseys, pig bobs screwed on the head, folding chairs on the sidewalk … at the foot of the monumental staircase, the public is there, faithful to the post, ready to follow the departure of the 12e stage of the Tour de France. Even the statue of D’Artagnan is dressed in a yellow sheet for the occasion.
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Far from the bustle of Haute-Ville, the atmosphere is quite relaxed. From 10:30 a.m., families and curious invested the boulevard Sadi-Carnot, seeking a shadow corner under the plane trees or a good angle of view. As the advertising caravans approaches, the excitement rises from a notch. Many children, lined up by the road, hold out their arms, run, jump, cry, in the hope of catching the precious “goodies”.
A gift for gifts and idols
“This is the best way to catch it as much as possible,” says Jade, 8, proudly, stretching a cardboard box. Inside, she drew a target and written in colorful letters “aims here champion”. Successful bet! She leaves all happy with two caps, two bobs, two keychain, two carnations of soft drinks … and even two pasta packs!
For his part, Mathis, 11, is waiting for one thing: seeing the Belgian Wout Van Aert and, with a little luck, leaving with his container. To put the odds on his side, he made a sign carrying his message. A little further, even fervor at Milana, 12, who made the trip from Bayonne to encourage Jonas Vingegaard. Dressed in the colors of Jumbo-visma, she too wrote a word for her idol on a piece of cardboard. And when the peloton approaches, her shyness flies away, and she screams with all her might: “Go Jonas!”