THE MAYO FOR SAM campaign went viral on Stage 18 of the Tour de France and it was all down to some chalk and asphalt.
More than 1,000 Irish cycling fans packed along the 172km route, which finished on Alpe d’Huez, and the were spread across corners seven to nine on one of the day’s toughest climbs. ‘Irish Corner’ was bubbling and seething with a party atmosphere all day.
Dan Martin and Nicolas Roche both dropped down the General Classification after gruelling days in the saddle so it was left to the Mayo supporters to steal the show. ‘Mayo for Sam’, along with a plethora of tricolours, covered sections of the road and were captured by television cameras as French cyclist Christophe Riblon powered to a stage win that delighted the locals.
Amid the revelry, a Tyrone flag proudly fluttered on Alpe d’Huez and there was a generous smattering on jerseys from the Red Hand County. Mickey Harte’s men will appreciate the support from afar as they prepare for an All-Ireland Qualifier clash with Kildare this weekend.
