Bon anniversaire
If only the French gendarmes had a little more of the casual approachability of their colleagues from the Danish "Politi".
As a tour reporter, you drive a few hours ahead of the peloton to your destination every day.
It's easy to get tangled up in the maze of ubiquitous road closures and detours surrounding a Tour finish.
In France, those stranded by car usually only get harsh rejection from the gendarmes.
In Denmark, the marshals have just as little idea where to go next.
But the Politi officials just seem happy to be part of the tour spectacle.
Only once did the tour reporter succeed in turning a gendarme into a warmly smiling "Politi" man.
It was his birthday and he had his cell phone to his ear in the car for a moment.
The tour reporter broke something about "anniversaire" and "telephone avec maman" - and was allowed to continue the journey with impunity.
strong horses
What would make a professional cyclist happy?
What would he like as a gift?
Or as a reward for a big race?
A big win?
Maybe a brand new racing bike?
A streamlined time trial machine?
I wouldn't bet on that.
John Degenkolb, for example, who is currently struggling in the Tour de France and secretly dreams of a stage win, once had a Café Racer screwed together as a reward, a super cool motorcycle inspired by the bikes worn by rockers at the beginning of the 1960s.
Welshman Geraint Thomas, who won the 2018 Tour, was also pleased with horsepower.
About a few more.
His dream, he just told the British "Rouleur" magazine, was always a Porsche 911 Turbo.
And then suddenly it was in the garage at home in Monaco.
A 30th birthday present from his wife.
Four wheels, plenty of power, and you don't even have to pedal.
A tempting prospect, even for the best professional cyclists.