Yesterday I approached an area of the Navacerrada Harbor to see the cyclists go down and up later to cover the end of the stage in the Ball of the World. Throughout the tour what I saw most were children accompanied by their parents waiting impatiently to see the runners pass.
I imagine that it has to be spectacular for children to see live athletes suffer on the bike while pedaling against time and rivals. The waiting time, which in some families will have been hours, will have been worth it once the corridors pass a few meters after having seen them on television every day. There are also many attractions for kids, the organization and the sponsors distribute many gifts so that the children have a memory of the day in the stage.
The short time that I have been I have seen that all the cyclists were encouraged although the ones who have been the most haunted by the kids have been the animators of the return: Contador, Valverde and "Purito" Rodríguez.
I think parents do very well taking the kids to see these kinds of shows. It is very easy to make hobby with this type of events. Seeing the tremendous sacrifice of athletes live is something that is never forgotten. Your effort on the bike is something that stays marked forever and makes you reflect on what it costs to achieve success.
We congratulate the winner, Alberto Contador, and the animators of the Vuelta 2012 Valverde and "Purito" Rodríguez, because they have filled the halls of the homes of a great show and especially because those who have seen them on the road have seen their faith, their courage and their strength to win a tremendously demanding competition such as a Cycle Tour in stages.
