BRATISLAVA. Road cycling does not have its own stadiums and halls. No Wembley, Maracana, Santiago Bernabeu, or anything like that.
The roads where jerseys, titles and victories are fought for are public. Everyone has the right to come and enjoy the atmosphere.
However, cycling fans also have places that are at least close to the famous football stadium. In the first place are the famous mountain passes, which are lined by tens of thousands of people.
The route to the Alpe d’Huez ski resort has a special place among cycling fans. It is not the longest, highest or steepest climb.
–
And yet you won’t find a place where supporters can celebrate cycling more exuberantly and in staggering numbers.
Today, the Tour de France returns to this climb. There will be the finish line of the 12th stage, one of the most demanding in this year with a total elevation gain of 4700 meters.
Mania, chaos and cycling festival
How many spectators can fit along the 14-kilometer road from Le Bourg-d’Oisans?
Tour organizers estimate that 900,000 fans watched the time trial here in 2004. Some sources claim that a million. In places it was chaos and the excited crowd pushed the cyclists up the hill.
–
However, more than 300,000 people come to see even the regular stage finish in this center.
Other mountain passes cannot compare with Alpe d’Huez. The Tour stage is just a kind of culmination of the festival, which starts here already a week in advance. It is a headliner preceded by a long program.
The first fans arrive well in advance. Seven days before the stage, the best places along the track are already occupied by caravans and the first tents are among the trees.
–
During the day, there is a barbecue, Dutch hits are played, the Tour is being watched and the beer is flowing. The Dutch have a big advantage.
“Alpe d’Huez irritates the puritans, but excites the general public like beach volleyball. When the Tour climbs to Alpe d’Huez it’s chaos, mania and crazy chaos. Like a Glanstonbury festival for cycling fans,” wrote columnist Tim Moore.
Secret supply of beer from Holland
A total of twenty-one switchbacks lead to the destination. Sharp turns. The loudest and most bizarre entertainment center is in the seventh turn. Why?
–
