Raceday

Started off badly!!

We loaded the bikes and Neill set off and I went to follow.

CLUNK!!

In all the messing about I had set off with the bright yellow disc lock still in the front wheel and we took a tumble in the car park. 

Luckily I had my left foot on the ground but Pepé is a heavy bastard and my leg crumbled and I had to lay it down.  It looked as though it rested on the left pannier.

One of the French guys ran over to help. Filled will embarrassment I had it on two wheels without much help. Adrenaline I guess!

The only damage was to the lock itself in that the key wouldn't unlock. It turned part way but the lock body itself was a bit skew-wiff in the casing..

Luckily another  French guy (GS1200 owner)  with an adjustable grip wrench broke the casing to get the key to turn. Otherwise I'd not be going anywhere. Phew.

Modified Lock

After that the ride down was a little odd as I was picking up every noise and weave in any uneven road surface as a problem of the tumble.

I couldn't see any damage to the bike, paint nor levers etc.  More phew.

That set us back a little and we arrived at the circuit just before 9am. That included a stop at a village boulangerie for bread.

Nothing in the world can compare to a fresh French baguette.

There are vastly more bikes and we are in Row 21 rather than the 16 of yesterday. Also with the stickers we went straight in to park.

We found a space on the fence level up by the chicane again. A little nearer the screen than yesterday. 

There also seem fewer VR46 caps and other gear today. 

Once again the Moto-E bikes haven't made an appearance apart from one bloke doing a single lap on a road bike.

In the Moto 3 class there is little British interest apart from John McPhee. And he won it. As he did in Brno in 16. We sang the National Anthem. "God Save the Queen"..

Moto 2 about to start ..

Doing brisk business all day except now!!!