is a countryman!

went to the beginning of stage 6 of the Tour of Cali (www.amgentourofcalifornia.com) today and was surprised to see this:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/59240565@N04/7223349986/http://www.flickr.com/photos/59240565@N04/7223349986/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/59240565@N04/, on Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/59240565@N04/7223351842/http://www.flickr.com/photos/59240565@N04/7223351842/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/59240565@N04/, on Flickr

 

That is awesome! It really makes perfect sense. Hopefully we will see some in the Tour as well.

 

I enjoyed your other flickr pictures from the tour of cali as well. Who's Orbea was that?

 

thanks! in case you didn't notice, some pics are from last years tour. i've gone every year since one stage sometimes starts right where i work (you can kinda see it in the flickr pics ).

as for the countryman being used, the team manager i was speaking with complained that the gas tank is too small so i don't know if other teams will use them.
hopefully, we'll see a team sponsored by mini like radioshack/trek/nissan.

not sure who the Orbea belonged too. i remember most of the bikes with the cheat sheet. not the same one but also has the cheat sheet.....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59240565@N04/7224811362/http://www.flickr.com/photos/59240565@N04/7224811362/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/59240565@N04/, on Flickr

 

I guess I always think of Spanish teams riding Orbeas, but I wasn't sure if there were any of the major Spanish teams in the Tour of Cali.

 

We're a bit off topic, but if you look at the top tube you can see an American flag and the rider's name: BAJADALI. His number is 131, which matches the tag on the bike, and a quick search shows that he's riding for Optum Pro.

I'm curious how many miles the support vehicles do in a typical day--I wonder if he also got stung by the rather unique very non-linear fuel gauge in the MINI? I'm always curious to see commercial enterprises buy MINI's. I don't know how much buying leverage they get, but they certainly do add something to the company's image!

 

Yeah, I would think if they were driving a base, they would easily clear the necessary miles. I would guess that maybe it isn't the most efficient driving style however.

 

I went to a to the stage start in Claremont, CA during last year's tour. They started with two loops of the downtown area for all the fans before heading out towards the hills. On the second loop the team cars were hauling a$$ around the corner, serious speed with tires squealing and the spectators along the curb were backing up. I guess they need to get their excitement in before the hours of cruising at 25mph begin.

 

haha...i remember that. we were on this corner...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/59240565@N04/7238471478/http://www.flickr.com/photos/59240565@N04/7238471478/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/59240565@N04/, on Flickr

and here's the cars coming
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59240565@N04/7238474120/http://www.flickr.com/photos/59240565@N04/7238474120/ by http://www.flickr.com/people/59240565@N04/, on Flickr

 

Cool to see my company (Amgen) still do this event and the knock-on effects it has had on MC purchases ;-)

Thanks for posting.