The Tour de France 1994 in Brighton

[footychick]

They went near Haywards Heath too, can't remember the place where I watched them exactly but it was by a petrol station/garage.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

The route of Le Tour included TWO climbs of Elm Grove, not just one. Somewhere or other I must have details of the whole route of the Dover - Brighton stage, because I was quite heavily involved in organising things like road closures, bus route diversions and park and ride services on the day - we used Waterhall / Mill Road and Plumpton Racecourse to provide spectator access to Brighton and Ditchling Beacon. I managed to sneak away and watch the event myself in Elm Grove.

 

[Pantani]

Although they made it look flat.

I know, it is ridiculous. The nearest us Sussex cyclists can get to a proper climb, in TDF it was not even classified as a climb. As for them riding up Elm Grove most were cranking up there in the big ring. It is when you see these guys for real that you realise how you are pathetically weak and unfit you are.

 

[1066familyman]

The route of Le Tour included TWO climbs of Elm Grove, not just one. Somewhere or other I must have details of the whole route of the Dover - Brighton stage, because I was quite heavily involved in organising things like road closures, bus route diversions and park and ride services on the day - we used Waterhall / Mill Road and Plumpton Racecourse to provide spectator access to Brighton and Ditchling Beacon. I managed to sneak away and watch the event myself in Elm Grove.

Quite right Lord B. The stage finished with a circuit of Brighton, so yes, two flybys on Elm Grove. I also remember the lawns around the pavilion area were given over to circus tents and such like providing pre race entertainment for the crowds. T'was truly a great day out...ah, happy days.

 

[Lady Whistledown]

I had a nice vantage point along Ditchling High Street.

 

[Lord Bracknell]

The whole of the route through East Sussex was plastered with temporary signs giving advance notice of road closures and diversions. When the event was over and ESCC went out to take down the signs, not a single one could be found. They had ALL been removed by souvenir hunters. Except for one, which is on display at Bracknell Towers.

 

[Dalef65]

Its coming back to UK in the next couple of years isnt it...?
Dont know if it will be in Brighton again though..

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

I've got a copy of the official guide 'Le Tour En Angleterre'. Includes grading for the difficulty of climbs. Ditchling Beacon was graded 4 (the easiest grade) with Elm Grove as a Grade 3. A spot of light jogging for the riders then. Christ knows what it must be like to cycle up - or even walk up! - the Grade 1 and Grade H (hors catégorie) climbs in the mountain stages of the tour. A slow and painful death most likely.

 

[Stoichkov]

The time they went up Wilsons Avenue and down Elm Grove was for the World Cup races in 1990 & 91. If they'd have stuck with Brighton rather than taking the race to Leeds and then Rochester - both rubbish routes - I'm sure the UK would still have a big one day race.

I watched the '94 Tour at the race hill and watched an overweight Greg Lemond (3 time tour winner) hanging off the back of the bunch.

The Tour finished on Marine Parade whereas the 1990 World Cup race finished down on Madeira Drive -which is a brilliant venue for a bike race finish

 

[Return of the Rev]

what date in 94 did it take place?

 

[Stoichkov]

what date in 94 did it take place?

6th July

 

[The Brighton Bear]

They definately went down Wilson Avenue.I was working in Tunbridge Wells at the time as well and saw them fly through there.

Wow! you've got good eyes.

 

[Zamora For England]

Just found this - Castle in Hickstead taken 6/7/94

 

[sod1]

They went near Haywards Heath too, can't remember the place where I watched them exactly but it was by a petrol station/garage.

that was Wivelsfield Green, i was there too. Seemed like an hours worth of advertising vehicles followed by 20 seconds of cyclists

 

[wolfie]

I've got most of it on a video somewhere (recorded from the TV). No idea how to get it on here though.

 

[The Large One]

1. Down Ditchling Road
2. Turned left at the south end of the level.
3. Along Lewes Road to Elm Grove
4. Up Elm Grove
5. Along Warren Road to Wilson Avenue
6. Down Wilson Avenue to the seafront
7. West along the seafront as far at the Palace Pier
8. Right at Palace Pier to go through Old Steine and Grand Parade to the junction of Ditchling Road / Lewes at the south end of the Level.
9. Repeated 3-7
10 Sprint along Madeira Drive to the finish.

FIN

 

[Zamora For England]

Another - waiting on Ditchling Beacon for the riders... 6/7/94