Five Questions for Loren Siekman
There are cycling tours in France. And then there are tours offered by Official Operators of the Tour de France. Just like the NFL and the Super Bowl, only licensed operators can use the words ‘Tour de France‘. That’s why many tour companies offer tours called ‘France’s Greatest Race’ or ‘Cycling’s Greatest Tour’. Only Official Operators, like Discover France, can get you on the same roads as the pros, then get you behind the scenes, at the award ceremonies and in the grandstands on the Champs Elysees. We spoke with Loren Siekman, General Manager and founder of Discover France.
BICIKLO: What does it take to become an Official Operator of the Tour de France?
LOREN: Experience, mostly. The organization that owns the Tour de France,Amaury Sports Organisation (ASO), is very particular about their partners. We are a French and USA-based company and have been in business 16 years offering cycling tours in France.
BICIKLO: How are Official tours different than standard tours in France?
LOREN: We offer the experience of a lifetime that only the four VIP operators can offer. Nobody else can offer anything close, and any offer of access to Village or other is all done ‘under the table’ through back channels with teams, local officials, and other contacts. ASO does not approve of any of these back door arrangements.
BICIKLO: How does Lance Armstrong’s popularity affect cycling tours in France?
LOREN: It affects the popularity of Le Tour in a global sense. He is a global icon among the cycling population and beyond. His presence will bring Europeans out to watch, and it makes Americans, Canadians and others want to travel to the Tour to get another chance to see the legend. More people follow the tour when Lance is in it.
BICIKLO: What are going to be some of the most dramatic stages at this year’s Tour?
LOREN: The early stages in the Alpes are too early and not as significant this year – there’s no Alpe d’Huez or Galibier to add status to any particular stage in the Alpes. This could make for some fun on the Morzine and St Jean de Maurienne stages as some teams or climbers to try to break away and get some big time, along with a victory. So, I think it comes down to the Pyrenees. Clearly, the time trial will seal it in Bordeaux, but depending on how much time is left ‘on the table’ before the time trial could make it go all the way to the last TT rider. So, the climbers have to try to put a lot of time into the time trialists; will those teams let that happen? Between Ax les 3 Domains and the second trip up the Tourmalet will be the key stages.
BICIKLO: Anything else to watch out for?
LOREN: Some side shows will include Mark Cavendish trying to light up a number of stage victories and cobblestones over about 13 kilometers in the third stage. The second-to-last stage, the individual time trial, is over flat to rolling countryside – wine country in fact – and should be decisive. I plan to be in Bordeaux for that myself!
You can check out Discover France’s VIP services at www.cyclingclassics.com/Tour_de_France_VIP.php. You can see all of Discover France’s Official Tour de France tours at www.cyclingclassics.com/Tour_de_France_Tours.php.