Tour de France - Reuters On Fire

<a href=http://blogs.reuters.com/2007/07/23/allo-paris-we-have-a-problem/>allo

paris we have a problem</a>

<p>

Warning contains graphic scenes of expensive camera damage.</p>

Martin - A great article. I have wondered how they covered the race. It's pretty well organized when it's working. I attended a bike race last weekend and was able to cover the racers because they did 10 loops. Stand in one place and the racers will come around again to your waiting camera.

The TDF is one way. I imagine the traffic is horrible judging from the crowds along the roadside. You truly need special dispensation to get shots all along the race route. As for the expensive equipment burned and stolen, that's a shame. But, big news organizations have the budget to absorb losses. I'm sure it was more of a logistical nightmare to get the replacement equipment to the photographers before the next day's race. In this instance it's time, not the money, that's the critical limiting factor. The photos have to be out to the world wide media the same day. After that it's history and not of much use to the daily news sources. It's hilarious that the photographers were cheered up when major daily papers picked up their own photos of their burned gear. That's a story to tell!