Clare Primary School children waiting for the Tour Down Under 2010

The 2010 Tour Down Under Stage 1 started today in Clare in the mid north of South Australia. We took a short drive from my daughter’s home and found a good viewing position in front of the Clare Primary School.

We arrived about an hour early and found a shady spot to set up our folding chairs. A group of children from the school had already organised their spot. Several of the children were encouraging every car, truck and police car to toot as they went past. Several of the police cars obliged with their sirens  blaring and their lights flashing.

Police on bicycles ahead of the riders in the 2010 Tour Down Under

The police presence was very obvious. In the half hour before the start of the race, I estimate that at least of a third of the vehicles were police cars, motor bikes or bicycles like those in the photo above. They were needed as the road become increasingly busy as the start of the race approached.

One of the sponsors cars in the 2010 Tour Down Under Clare

An amusing highlight about ten minutes before the riders came through was the procession of sponsors’ cars, each featuring a “rider” on top and each featuring a different jersey. The leading car featured the ochre jersey worn by the race leader.

As the riders passed by I was too busy with my camera capturing the moment to look out for cycling legend Lance Armstrong.