Mountain Biker Jumps The Tour de France!
Picture © Scott Markewitz
Mountain Biking U.K. published a jaw-dropper today about Dave Watson jumping The Tour De France . Now, I watched a bit of Tour coverage last year, but I didn’t see anything about this. And I think it’s really a shame that I didn’t, considering it’s a lot more exciting than a bunch of drug-addled twigs shooting up through their spandex. (I prefer street biking over mountain biking; I like to go fast, but that doesn’t make it terribly interesting to watch. I digress.)
From MBUK.COM…
The set-up and preparation had to be done in secret, as the reaction of the fans and organisers was unknown. Showing up several days before hand, Dave with help from some staff at Big Bike, a French-based Freeride magazine, built the jump and cleared the landing before many fans showed up.
With three Freeride Entertainment 16mm cameras rolling to catch the action and Scott Markewitz shooting stills, tension was high as the helicopters appeared on the horizon marking the arrival of the lead group. The amount of police and the mayhem created by the fans on the take-off and landing meant that jumping the lead group was out of the question. With communication hardly possible due to the noise created by the fans, a group of about twelve riders was sighted in the distance and the jump was on. Frantic preparations were made to clear the landing of spectators and take-off jump.
Dave patiently waited as the riders rounded the corner. Prior to the jump, Dave had not even had a chance to take a run in to the jump for fear of giving away his intentions. Jump time came and Dave climbed aboard his Stab Primo and punched it toward the lip with no hesitation.
Jumping just over the back of the peleton as to take no chances of injuring riders on an unknown jump, Dave sailed approximately 45 ft before touching down. Due to a last minute brake check to ensure the safety of the riders below, Dave came up slightly short and was bucked by his bike into the rocky tranny. Fans rushed to Dave to see the extent of his injuries. Slightly dazed with paramedics and police surrounding him, the crew was unsure what the outcome would be.
I guess Dave remembered to pack his cojones…
Fortunately, the story has a happy ending right here: That Watson Gap Jump – MBUK.COM
Here’s the video of the jump, he was just slightly short, but still a sweet jump none the less!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCNTvvMonYo
Deve watson um dos meus pilotos preferidos…
Gostei muito do salto por sima dos ciclistas em frança!
Gostava muito de ter uma camisola tua com o teu autografo