This year the Tour de France organisation decided to climb Alpe d’Huez twice during a stage, passing through the resort, descending on the east side along a narrow back road, to end up at the foot of the main climb again. This attracted a lot of spectators, and the valley was filling up with supporters until there was not a single empty spot left. All available space was covered by camping cars, parked cars and tents, and people were cycling and walking everywhere. Luckily our little hamlet remained an oasis of peace, despite the closeness to the Alpe. On the day itself Piet and the girls (Mary stayed behind to recover from the overnight trip with Beau) walked up halfway the climb, and first saw the publicity caravan passing (even distributing condoms this year!). Then the cyclists came, first a scattered front group, following by a small peloton led by Team Sky of Yellow Jersey wearer Chris Froome. After this the non-climbers followed in several groups. Due to the steepness of the road they go (relatively) slow, and we were able to recognize quite a few. The second time round the situation hadn’t changed much, except that the favourites had attacked each other, and were spread out. Dutch hopes Bauke Mollema and Laurens ten Dam had a very difficult time, and lost many minutes. When the last rider had passed all the people on foot and bike started descending, a massive “migration” as there were numbers of 700.000 to 1 million people mentioned!
The next morning we watched the publicity caravan again, and saw the peloton at the foot of the Col du Glandon. The cyclists were busy forming a break away, and were speeding along at 50 km/hour, so recognising them was a challenge this time…..
Christophe Riblon, the stage winner, during the first ascent of Alpe d'Huez
Andrey Amador, first Costa Rican in the Tour de France
Team Sky leading the leftovers of the peloton during the first ascent
Tom Veelers is struggling by himself, only halfway the first ascent
Moreno Moser will finish third in this stage
Dutch favourite Bauke Mollema is dragged up Alpe d'Huez by Gesink and Nordhaug
Tom Veelers during the his second ascent, still on his own
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