Tour of California - Palo Alto Prologue - Brushes with Greatness

For the third year running, Mark and I are closely following the Tour of California race. Mark is a big cycling fan. As a result, I have a very good working knowledge of rider's faces, cycling team gossip, and even racing strategy. This year showcases the best cycling talent to come to California since the inception of the race. And due to the relative unpopularity of cycling in America, we got unprecedented access to the world famous racers.

The following photograph was taken at a private cycling event, "An Evening with Levi Leipheimer and friends" in Palo Alto on Valentine's Day (am I the best fiance ever or what?). Levi, left, who is the 2007 Tour of California champion, and the 3rd place finisher in the 2007 Tour de France, looked he could have blended into the crowd with his back turned hat. He and the ever entertaining and witty Chris Horner (left) both got a kick out of signing a photograph that we took of the both of them warming up together at last year's Tour of California.

Mark (center) with super-domestique, Chris Horner (left)

and Tour de France 3rd place winner, and 2007 Tour of California winner

Levi Leipheimer

Mark, with 2007 World Champion, Paolo Bettini,

who obligingly allowed us, and many others to take photos with him

Before the Prologue in Palo Alto, we checked out the cyclists before the race. Paolo Bettini, who is a superstar in Europe, allowed a small group of fans to take pictures with him while he discussed intricacies of his bike set up with coaches and mechanics.

Mina, with France's darling, Thomas Voekler, who fended off Lance Armstrong from obtaining the yellow jersey for an unprecedented 10 days in 2004

I practiced my rusty french when I asked if I could take a picture with Thomas Voeckler, who looks pretty handsome in this picture. Thomas Voeckler, by the way, is one of the most famous French riders in the world.

Familiar faces and voices to American cycling fans, (from left) Phil Liggett, Paul Sherwen, and Bob Roll, kicking back on Palm Drive at Stanford UniversityFinally, a shot that could have been taken in Italy, but wasn't. Here was our breakfast before the Prologue at Cafe Del Doge on University Ave. in Palo Alto.