I love watching the cycling Grand Tours. The Giro, La Tour and The Veulta. The modern camera coverage is spectacular. It’s an incredible way to see a country from High Def helicopter cameras. The flow of a professional peloton from the air is a thing of beauty.

This Year’s Veulta a España was no exception. It was however marred by Pro Palestinian protesters including completely shutting down the finish in Madrid. No rousing sprint finish and no ceremonies. You could see the disappointment on the faces of the racers who completely extinguish themselves for weeks on a bike. Most of the racers empathize with the protesters. It’s understandable the disgust that’s going on.

However, in true grass roots fashion, later that night in a discrete parking lot somewhere, they put together a ceremony. Ice coolers for podium stands and a crude backdrop banner. It must have been awesome. Like so many neighborhood races when you’re little and really don’t give shit about what’s going on in the world.