We mentioned earlier this year how Marcus Browning, former co-head of FX trading at Merrill Lynch, had engineered a move to Citi, purely, if rumours are to be believed, to get some sustained training for this year’s Etape du Tour. Unfortunately, Browning failed again this year to get the gold standard handed out to high finishers in the event. Having finished a splendid 820th out of more than 7,500 starters, Browning has every right to feel slightly aggrieved.
There was the usual scattering of City types at this year’s event – which followed the route of the mountainous Stage 15 of the Tour de France – all anxious to prove that they can still cut the mustard physically. They are easily spotted – they tend to own the most expensive bikes available. However, you still have to pedal and, as Browning found out, owning a bike that cost more than many small cars can generate other stresses. In his case, last-minute preparations were disrupted when the Heathrow baggage handlers, aka the Masters of Destruction, managed to bend a vital component on his brand-new steed.
The problem was rectified, but Browning looked a worried man in the final run-up to the ride.