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In the Gutter LC2
Prior to the men arrive for the final sprint of the Tour de France, it was the women's turn to race on the cobbled boulevard between the Louvre and the l'Arc du Triomphe. The constant jarring of the cobbles can be very fatiguing so the women are all trying to ride in the gutter, the only section of some pavement to be found. The gutter brings the risk of flat tires or worse. I have once clipped a curb with my pedal sending me sprawling on the ground. Later in the race, there were some crashes where at least one time, the curb was the cause for these hard women, too. Riding on the back for now is the American, Alison Tetrick (Cylance Pro Cycling). Joining her were riders from ALE Cipolini and Boels Dolmans. I have become a fan of Cylance ever since they added Kathryn Bertine to their roster. Just to tie it into a nice little bow, she was part of the group that help to make La Course happen.