TdF 2014: Lost in Harrogate with FDJ
We take a spin with the Tour de France teams as they loosen up their legs on the roads of Yorkshire.
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

“We’re lost,” laughed Jeremy Roy. “We were with the team car but they got stuck in traffic.”
Roy was stood, like the rest of his FDJ.fr team mates, on the edge of the Stray in Harrogate. Well, all except Thibaut Pinot, who was seated on the grass of the vast, open lawn that wraps itself around the centre of the North Yorkshire spa town.
Moments earlier Pinot had led the French team out of a junction, mounted the kerb and theatrically rolled himself onto the ground in mock exhaustion.
“We’ve done about 90km,” Roy explained of the team’s group spin two days before the Tour starts. “The first part we went at quite a tempo. Now we’re going easy. Do you know the way to Otley?”
***
FDJ were far from the only Tour de France team out on the roads of Yorkshire today. In fact, across the region, every one of the squads in this year’s race was getting a flavour of what Yorkshire’s roads have to offer.
We’d arrived in Harrogate with a short ride from the Rudding Park hotel where Team Sky, Omega Pharma-Quickstep and IAM were staying.
In the leafy, well presented car park surrounded by golf course, Sky DS Servais Knaven explained that the team of the reigning champion were heading out on a 75km recce including the final run-in of stage one.
Behind him, Chris Froome signed autographs for the committed fans who’d come to pay him a visit while Bernhard Eisel sat at the wheel of one of the team’s Jaguar support vehicles, revving the engine like an 18 year boy racer in a Morrisons car park.
“We’ve had Bill Clinton, Desmond Tutu and George Bush senior stay here,” the manager of the hotel replied when I asked if they’re used to their guests creating such attention. “Robin Van Persie was staying here before going to the World Cup. John Cleese was here recently too.”
His eyes then followed Mark Cavendish strutting towards the Omega bus like a peacock.
Back in town, Cofidis, Orica-GreenEdge and Katusha were all temporarily out but their buses and mechanics marked their stay at the Best Western. It seemed the latter have had one of the more eventful outings in Yorkshire, after a member of hotel staff told me they'd already lost one rider to a broken bone and were having to fly in a substitute.
Who was it? I asked. Not their leader? Rodriguez?
“Oh no," she confided. "They treat him like royalty.”
***
Thankfully, the FDJ car emerged out of a corner just in time to save us from taking on responsibility for safely guiding their boys back to Otley. Instead we hooked on the back of the group as they headed down the A61 and continued conversation with Roy, the serial breakaway man of the 2011 Tour.
“That was my best year,” he explained with a smile. There won’t be a chance to do that this year though. The team is focussed on working for sprinter Arnaud Démare and GC hopeful Pinot.
The team’s riders arrived together yesterday, flying from Paris to Amsterdam then on to Leeds before the team bus transfer to their Otley hotel.
They reckon 20,000 people were out watching the domestic-level criterium in the town yesterday evening which prompted Roy to ask me a question about the Tour Series.
The Tour Series? I ask. How do you know about that?
“I read it in L’Equipe” he said.
The cycling boom that Britain is enjoying is clearly not lost on the French, despite the pastime being part of their collective soul for over a century. What’s more, their riders are seeing the benefits of it too.
When I ask Roy how he’s found being in Yorkshire so far, he was unequivocally enthusiastic.
“It’s nice to start the Tour somewhere different and come somewhere I’ve never been before. Last time I came to England was with school. The hotel’s great and everywhere you go, the towns are decorated. Everyone seems really excited.
“It’s going to be brilliant.”
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
-
-
Women’s WorldTour calendar 'a mess' and 'a nonsense' says Movistar boss
The UCI must invest in the bottom of the pyramid to ensure the sport’s future says Sebastián Unzué
By Owen Rogers • Published
-
'Just don't wreck yourself' - Fred Wright on his GB track gamble and the Olympics
The Bahrain Victorious rider is set to compete at the European Track Championships next weekend
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
An ode to Thibaut Pinot, the man who taught us to feel
The 32-year-old will retire at the end of this season, calling time on a career of highs and lows
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
'When there are 10 guys coming into the finish, I want to be one of them' - Lewis Askey on WorldTour life
Young British Groupama-FDJ rider has signed new contract with team until 2025
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'A big weight off my shoulders' — Jake Stewart takes 'emotional' first win
British rider breaks through with stage one victory at the Tour de l'Ain
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'He's going to win some big bike races' - Tom Pidcock hails Sam Watson as he turns pro with Groupama-FDJ
U23 British National champion has impressed his French team and more besides
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'Just perfect' — Arnaud Démare on a roll at the Giro d'Italia with two wins in a row
French sprinter triumphs for second day running on stage six
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'An unforgettable day' — Thibaut Pinot back winning after 1,007 days
The Frenchman won stage five of the Tour of the Alps to end his drought
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'I could have turned that s***ty page' — Thibaut Pinot emotional after missing out on first win in three years
Frenchman beaten by Miguel Àngel Lòpez at Tour of the Alps after being caught in final kilometre
By Adam Becket • Last updated
-
Jake Stewart's 2022 season on hold after intestinal problems
British sprinter does not know when he will be back in action
By Adam Becket • Published