Tour de France 1998 Stage 2 start Enniscorthy July 13th 1998

Описание: Video taken by Alan Owens from Ferns on July 13th 1998. The stage start was from the Duffry Gate and the race was neutralised to the official depart at Km 0 on the New Ross road. The Tour Village was set up on the GAA pitch in Bellefield and riders, team members and dignitaries mingled and drank coffee before and after rider sign on at the The Duffy car park (where the TdeF memorial is). The training pitches were take up with the publicity caravan, support vehicles Gendarmerie, Gardai, TV crews, media and helicopters. There were thousands in the town from early morning and the atmosphere great as France were celerating their World Cup win over Brazil the previous evening. Enniscorthy was also celebrating the 200th anniversary of the 1798 Rebellion and the Pikemen played a symbolic role lining the the streets from the Castle Hill to the two bridges and at the Km0 point which proved very popular with Jean-Marie Leblanc and Bernard Hinault. Slaney CC were part of the organising group and ware probably the only cycling club ever to have four cars in the publicity cavalcade which were driven by Paul Nolan, Liam Ruth, Larry Doyle and Niall McCarthy. The stage to cork was won by Jan Svorada and was notobale for Yellow jersey holder Chris Boardmans crash and withdrawal on the entry to Youghal. Great memories!