Stories from l'Alpe d'Huez

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Stage 18 of the 2-1 Tour de France lived up to expectations. So many stories.


Do I talk about the story of Teejay van Garderen, so close yet so far?

Contador and Team Saxo Bank team tactics failing?

Rodriguez, Quintana, and Froome smashing the peloton?

The ride of Richie Porte powering up the hill to rejoin when Froome was being challenged?

The controversy of Froome taking on drink and food within the last kilometers?

Quintana taking advantage and riding away from them all, riding for a place on the podium and then Rodriguez inching back at the line?

The heroic ride of Riblon biding his time in second place for so long of the stage and then finally attacking taking the stage for his country?

The story of Porte nursing a limping and flat Froome to the line?

Contador finishing with a desperate, lethargic burst trying to limit his losses?


So many stories. Thank you Alpe d'Huez, you never fail to disappoint.

Alpe d'Huez beckons

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The 2013 Tour de France hits the breathtaking French Alps tonight with a bang. I have been looking forward to this stage since the start of the race and the way things have unfolded it sure is shaping up to be a ripper of a stage. Not only are the riders going to be tackling the monster climb once, but twice!

If you have never been to Europe and seen the mountains, particularly the French and Swiss Alps, it really is hard to describe their magnificent grandeur. The vertical walls of rock reaching high into the sky their often snow capped peaks kissing the heavens. They are honestly breathtaking. Not that I think any of the riders will be marvelling at their beauty today, they will more likely be cursing the steep climbs and unrelenting hairpins.

Today's stage is going to be a cracker with Froome's closest rivals undoubtedly going to try and isolate him from his partner in crime Richie Porte and then attack him multiple times in the hope that he cracks before they do. But what will they have left in reserve to take time from him if they do manage to break the Froome-dog? And then will they have the legs for the next couple of days through the alps?

So many questions. So much anticipation!

Are you as excited to see the stunning Alpe d'Huez stage as I am?