Tour Tidbit du Jour - 7/8/2011

One of the traditions of the Tour is allowing french riders to make a quick visit with their families if the route passes through their hometowns. The peloton will slow, the rider will launch out of the pack, and pull over to the side of the road for quick hugs and kisses. The peloton will pass, make some friendly waves, the rider will then say his goodbyes, and rejoin the peloton, which will then get back up to cruising speed. On Stage 7 today, the route passed by the city of Tours, the birthplace of FDJ rider and breakaway artist Jeremy Roy, so when he launched out of the peloton, there were wry reactions from commentators, but the peloton knew that his family was waiting for him up the road.