KABUL PROVINCE, Afghanistan – The longest stage of the Tour de France, took place Sunday. Stage 15 is the ride up Mount Ventoux reaching an altitude of 1,912 meters. This is the 100th Tour de France - an all inspiring historic ride.
It is also an annual event at Camp Phoenix, Afghanistan. Riders from France, Romania and the U.S. took to the saddle in a shadow ride. Hosted by the French coalition the competition included opening ceremony, breakfast and dinner.
Team Tarpon, USA was immediately recognized, “You’re going to lose – you have women on your team, it is good you are participating, but you will lose,” said a French soldier.
Capt. Nathan Emmory, operations law judge advocate, 226th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, accepted the challenge. He mounted bike number seven smartly pushing through a 10K ride.
Emmory finished a minute ahead of the pack. Great excitement, cheering, clapping ensued, however, his time did not post and would not as bike number seven is a warm-up device. Team Tarpon would be in the second heat. Emmory just completed a winning 10K ride and would have to do it a second time.
Emory made a good show in the second heat, yet the team longed for the earlier time.
Staff Sgt. Julie Vasquez, security manager, 226th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade took the second leg, a 1K sprint. “I haven’t ridden a bike since I was a kid,” said Vasquez.
She adjusted the height of the seat, got a nod from more experienced riders and began.
Vasquez is a regular in the CrossFit gym.
“My legs are numb, that was much harder than I thought it would be,” said Vasquez.
The uphill battle belongs to LaTerrance Perry, security operations officer. With film of the Tour de France on the large screen Perry set his pace, closed his eyes and climbed the 6K hill.
The last leg of the race is another 1K sprint. Team leader Capt. Shan Anderson, deputy intelligence officer, 226th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, would bring the team home.
Anderson recruited her team with the understanding that they would be running the relay. The good humored team laughed about the confusion but welcomed the opportunity to compete.
The final sprint did not earn the team a gold medal, or yellow tee shirt. Despite all the confusion one last surprise remained; Emory takes the silver for his second 10K ride.
The confusion might frustrate some, not Emmory. “It makes a good story, and it is fun,” he said.