For almost two centuries, the column of the goddess, synonymous with resistance, has dominated the heart of the Grand’Place in Lille (North). But this Thursday at 7:54 pm, it is a god on the handlebars of a white bicycle who triumphs even before having fought. The triple winner of the Tour de France Tadej Pogacar, accompanied by his comrades from the UAE Team Emirates training, is invited on the cylindrical scene in the final bouquet of the parade of runners.
And garnished a first little victory by addressing the public in the language of Molière. “Good evening Lille!” How are you ? », Says the Slovenian ogre. Guaranteed ovation. In the applause match, he widely ahead of his Danish rival Jonas Vingegaard.
Under a large blue sky which does not stick with the weather shots of the region, Sandra, a 42 -year -old nurse and her twin sister Viviana, a history teacher, are with angels. These two Chileannes from Santiago, who came expressly in France for five days of the round, swear by “Pogi” inscribed in capital letters on a flag. “Well yes, we don’t have a Chilean runner!” “Sour the two quadras who put on the UAE team jersey.
In the capital of Flanders, it is not yet the big departure of the Tour de France which will start on Saturday but a simple parade of runners, or rather “superhero” dixit the master of ceremonies to the catotan. But when it comes to gathering of XXL crowds, it looks furiously like a first step.
“It is as if we were welcoming the World Cup”
During a walk of just over a kilometer in downtown, including rue Pierre-Mauroy, all the committed of the Grande Boucle were acclaimed by thousands of spectators, yellow and pea jersey with caps, first gifts from sponsors. Before challenging the mini-paved (nothing to do with those of Paris-Roubaix) of the Grand’Place and a ramp to be solemnly presented to the general public, the Belfry in the background.
At the forefront, Vincent, 34, educator dressed in a jersey from the Once time Laurent Jalabert. “Me, kid, I took myself for Jaja and my big brother for sprinter Erik Zabel,” says this amateur cyclist wearing a “binouze” cap. For the passage of the Tour at the Ch’tis until Monday, this Lille posed a vacation. “It is as if we were welcoming a soccer world cup,” he ignites.
His favorite runner? IdiTe question! “The Frenchman Julian Alaphilippe of course, he always gives everything,” he applauds between two sips of blonde from the vintage. His father, Pascal, 63, is also a “fan of a runner”. “But he has stopped for a long time, it is Bernard Hinault,” reveals the retiree that one cannot lose with his fluorescent tunic. To tell the truth, he also likes Alaphilippe. Around 7:20 pm, “The D’Artagnan du Peloton”, “the darling of the French” as the animators present, made a cardboard to the applaudimeter. In terms of decibels, it will only be equaled by Pogacar. “Julian! Julian! », Spontaneously chants his fans.
Dutch from Maastricht, André, 72, his wife Josette, 67 and their son Jules, 32, have a weakness for their compatriot Mathieu van der Poel. “Well, there is also Tadej, he is not from home, but he is very good too,” laughs Sir, former representative in decorative ribbons. The trio appreciates the warmth of northern people. “It’s a bit of the family here, we are just 240 km from Maastricht,” he appreciates.
On stage, the Eritrean Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty) makes a veinard who recover his cans. Christian Poiret, President (various right) of the Departmental Council of the North makes it his platform. “The north is beautiful, the north is proud, party!” “, He gets angry. The neophyte of the Tour de France, Bastien Tronchon (Décathlon-Ag2r-La Mondiale) savor this first crowd. “It’s going to be a dinguerie!” »»
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