SF Gran Prix, September 15, 2002

An early photo, showing an intact pack heading down... Lombard?  Probably not, I'll figure it out and correct it.  Unfortunately, I really didn't get a lot of great photos today, as the crowds seemed considerably larger than last year, and I have yet to master the hold-the-camera-way-over-your-head-and-shoot technique.  I usually get the right area covered that way, but seems to always goof on the focus (my camera really likes to focus on the closest hat it can find).
A very large number of people on the upper part of Taylor Street, trying to see the riders struggle up the steep section below.  Unfortunately, their view was obscured by a very poorly-placed set of booths from Clif Bar and PCT, the race organizers.  I'm sure it was great press for the organization and sponsor, since it guaranteed a lot of TV coverage, but it took away several hundred prime viewing spots.  In order to see the action, everyone had to line up in a narrow aisle on the right side.
A close-up of the offending booths.  I'm not complaining about the TV platform though, as it had a very good reason for being in that spot.	Ekimov on the front-left (thanks go to Dave Hansen for identifying him), riding very closely to the unknown rider next to him.
#1 last year, and for a good part of today's race, but unfortunately not at the end!  George Hincapie had a 35 second lead with 25 miles to go, but it was too little, too soon.	The obligatory photo of Lance, who's not quite so easy to spot when he's not wearing yellow!  And no, I don't have a good answer yet for why the team was riding '02 color bikes and not '03s.
	One of the surprises was meeting Lance Armstrong's mom, shown here sandwiched between Paul Moran on the left (TREK west coast regional manager) and Dick Moran on the right (TREK head of marketing).  I did get her to sign a photo I'd taken of Lance at the TDF this year- she signed it "Lance's Mom."  Seemed like a very nice person.  Lance's mom, that is.  Those TREK hacks... that's another story!  Just kidding...

Last updated 05/06/05