My Week with the Tour de Georgia

By Course Marshal Extraordinaire
Tracy L. Farrell 

For those of you that don’t already know, I was a paid course marshal for the 2004 Dodge Tour de Georgia. There were 7 teams of 10 marshals per Dodge Sprinter van. Each van had a driver, navigator and 8 marshals. Basically, we spent our days jumping the peloton and securing the race route which means we got to see the race at least three times a day and usually a finish or start. We secured the race route and intersections, kept frenetic fans off the course, held onto loose dogs, swept corners, patched holes, told cops what to do at the intersections (!) and informed all around us about teams, leaders and what to expect. 

As with any event, you get a chance to see the best and worst in people. We saw some unhappy people. People that didn’t want to clear the race course, local cops that fumed about dwindling funds in their department to anyone that would listen and people that were just infuriated that their lives were delayed for a moment by one of the greatest sporting events Georgia has to offer. Fortunately, in the first town we visited, and in many more along the way, we got to meet some of the best people. The members of a very small county civic group (two members to be exact) had gotten up every morning to pick up trash along the race route through their town. At the last moment, race directors changed the route so they got up at 3 that morning to clean along the new route. Then the route was changed back. They were still so happy to have their little town in the race that they were all smiles and pride. For the most part, citizens of each little town we went through were happy that they got to see the race, even for a moment. I don’t remember all the cities we visited or even where we stayed but I hope my brief account can give you a little taste of the excitement that was my week with the Tour de Georgia. What follows is a brief summary of my days. Gossip and other fun facts are available upon request. J 

Day 1, Sunday April 18- Rode down from the airport to Macon in a van with the Webcor Builders team, which included 2003 Tour de Georgia winner Chris Horner. We pulled up at the hotel just in time to see Mario Cipollini getting out of his limo. All were cheering for “The Lion King” as he was given rock star treatment. Webcor teammates were quick to reassure Chris that he was still their hero though everyone was more than a little star struck seeing Cipo. Checked in and got my credentials and then started wandering. Was being a total tourist. Got my picture made with two of Cipo’s bikes. Met most of the mechanics in the bike room. 

Day 2, Monday April 19-“Free day” to wander Macon and get some rest before the race started. Met most of the teams and chatted with all who spoke English, some that spoke French, Spanish and Italian. That night was the opening dinner where all the teams were announced. Cipollini and the rest of Domina Vacanze arrived by van and were led up the red carpet in front of the convention hall. Their arrival was played on Macon’s news that night. I got my picture taken with Cipo after dinner. USPS did not come to dinner and showed up to the team introductions 20 minutes late. LA storms off the stage and leaves everyone baffled. 

Day 3, Tuesday April 20- Stage 1 Macon to Milledgeville. Our first real day on the job. In the morning we would go to a staging area at the start and pick up our Subway sandwiches and fill the cooler for the day. Then it was off to the drops. Our first drop was in the city where the two people had gotten up at 3 to pick up trash. There was a pack of dogs across the street eyeing our Subway’s so my fearless companion went over to ask the owner to put up her beasts until the race was over. Gord Fraser from Health Net took the win, Ivan Dominguez of Colavita Olive Oil, second, Jens Voight Team CSC, third. I got my picture with Gord back at the hotel just after his press conference. 

Day 4, Wednesday April 21-Stage 2 Thomaston to Columbus. Now we will be staying in a different hotel every night along the route so we have to have our bags packed and on the cargo van in the morning. Got to finish line just in time to see Cipo-Domina Vacanze, get his award for first place. Have some pictures that I took from a distance. Ivan Dominguez second, Gord Fraser third. 

Day 5, Thursday April 22- Stage 3 Carrollton to Rome. Our first opportunity to be at a finish. This is where our marshal patience is put to the test. People cross streets no matter how many times they are told can’t come on the course. We don’t want anyone to get hurt and believe me; those team cars are NOT looking for dummies crossing the street. A surprise to all of us, Lance Armstrong wins, Ivan Dominguez second Benjamin Brooks of Jelly Belly, third. Got good pictures of the awards. When the peloton passed us for the last time before the finish USPS was setting Lance up. It was great to see how that worked. 

Day 5, Thursday April 22- Stage 4 Individual Time Trial in Rome. Got to see each racer come by individually. Took pictures of most since we had 2 marshals at our post at the left turn to Mt. Alto. The crowd consisted mostly of elderly folks that lived in the neighborhood so I think we had it covered. Found out that night that a member of the Junior Nationals Team/TIAA-CREF Craig Lewis was hit by a 65 year old man turning across the, closed to traffic, race lane into the VFW. Lewis’s injuries are extensive but he will make it and ride again. Lance Armstrong wins, Jens Voight second, Chris Horner-Webcor, third. Went to dinner for the teams and staff hosted by the city of Rome. Rome put on a great dinner. USPS did not come to dinner again. Miss Georgia was there and was kind enough to let my roommate wear her crown and have her picture taken with her. Miss Georgia had presented the awards earlier at Stage 2 and had gotten 5 cheek kisses by Cipollini. Even though she didn’t know much about cycling she was very well spoken during the ceremony so Georgia is well represented by this bright, beautiful woman. Had taken down Tour de GA sign earlier in the day and went around to all the tables to have it signed by the teams. All were very gracious. 

Day 6, Friday April 23- Stage 5 Dalton to Dahlonega. So far we haven’t been too rushed making our drops since there were alternate routes around the peloton. This stage was through mountains and had close drops so we literally had only seconds to make our drops. We were leaping in and out of the van while it was still moving. How exciting!! Made all of our drops so cheers to our driver, Greg Christie. Jason McCartney-Health Net, first, Salvatore Commesso second, Charles Dionne-Webcor, third. 

Day 7, Saturday April 24- Stage 6 Athens to Hiawassee. Cipo smiles over at us as he makes the final turn on Hogpen leading up to the Brasstown climb. What a charmer!! We didn’t get to go to the top but we had race radio feed that kept us informed of the final moments of the stage. We were on the edge of our seats when race radio stopped transmission with 200 meters to go. We weren’t the only ones anxiously waiting because the marshal coordinator got on the radio and asked for more information. Then she came back that local hero Cesar Grajales won the stage for team Jittery Joe’s by 17 seconds after climbing to the highest point in GA, Brasstown Bald. We were all cheering and crying for Cesar. This was big win for a great guy. . Second Jens Voight, third Lance Armstrong. 

Day 8, Sunday April 25- Dawsonville to Alpharetta. This is our last day on the job. We are all a little sad that our fun is coming to an end. Since we didn’t get to see the Brasstown finish, Greg puts us in the corner right after the finish in Alpharetta. Got right up front for the final awards ceremony so I got some great pictures of the final winners Lance Armstrong first, Jens Voight second and Chris Horner third. Jason McCartney, who won KOM, handed me his bunch of peach roses as he went by. Shook hands with Bob Roll and saw Sandra Bullock so close I could have touched her. (She is absolutely gorgeous!!) Gord Fraser wins the stage, Juan Jose Haedo-Colavita, second, Mario Cipollini third. I had gone to Wal Mart earlier in the week and had my picture with Cipo made into an 8x10 so he could sign it at dinner. Went to closing dinner unfortunately, still no USPS and no Cipo. Talked with his manager and he said to drop by the hotel the next morning at 9:30. Got the rest of the teams to autograph my sign. Saw the racers “let their hair down”. Nothing like seeing world class cyclists walking around with flower vases full of beer and dancing to YMCA. Found out later on that USPS had hosted their own dinner. Whtaever. 

Day 9, Monday April 26- Packed up and got ready to head back to the truck in ATL. Went to Mario’s hotel to have my picture with him signed. He was still sleeping. After a lot of discussion in English and Italian amongst his entire team including mechanic and manager it was decided that someone from Domina was staying behind and would have it signed and leave it at the desk for me. What a great bunch! I had to drive a van of workers to Macon then back to Atlanta in exchange for running back and forth between hotels with their van to get my picture signed. Now I am really tired from my long week and all that driving but I got my autograph so it was worth it. 

My final take on the race: The most amazing week of my entire life. I will never forget all the exhilaration and fun. I met some wonderful people and saw some amazing hometown pride. I got to meet and talk to all the teams except Postal Service who stayed in their own hotels and did not come to the dinners. I also learned that it is much easier to clean your bike if you take the wheels off. See all the stuff you learn? In short, this was the best week of my life and I was extremely honored to be a part of it. Cheers to all of the race coordinators and staff on a job well done. 

Most Charismatic: Mario Cipollini 
Nicest teams: tough choice but have to go with Webcor Builders and Domina Vacanze 
Most available for photo or autograph: Mario Cipollini 
Favored by the van to win the race: Cipo, Jens Voight or Bobby Julich 
Favored by the van to win mountain stages: Cesar Grajales or Jens Voight 
Favored by the van to win sprint stages: Cipo, Bobby Julich 
Favored by the van to win time trial: Lance 
Best English by non-North American resident: Jens Voight, GER 
Coolest looking team car: Colavita 
Nicest mechanics: Paul with Barloworld and Eva from Health.net(?)