{"id":2057212,"date":"2026-07-22T08:20:33","date_gmt":"2026-07-22T05:20:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2057212"},"modified":"2026-07-22T08:20:33","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T05:20:33","slug":"i-rode-the-col-de-sarenne-to-see-what-the-newest-tour-de-france-climb-is-really-like-heres-whats-in-store-for-the-queen-stage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2057212","title":{"rendered":"I rode the Col de Sarenne to see what the newest Tour de France climb is really like \u2013 Here&#8217;s what&#8217;s in store for the Queen stage"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ctTKHjxm7C68EgHCvdifue-1920-80.png&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nCycling Culture\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>I rode the Col de Sarenne to see what the newest Tour de France climb is really like \u2013 Here&#8217;s what&#8217;s in store for the Queen stage<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nWill Jones <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-22T08:20:33Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n22 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Harder, steeper, and substantially more beautiful that Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ctTKHjxm7C68EgHCvdifue-1920-80.png.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ctTKHjxm7C68EgHCvdifue-1600-80.png.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ctTKHjxm7C68EgHCvdifue-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ctTKHjxm7C68EgHCvdifue-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ctTKHjxm7C68EgHCvdifue-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ctTKHjxm7C68EgHCvdifue-750-80.png.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ctTKHjxm7C68EgHCvdifue-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ctTKHjxm7C68EgHCvdifue-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ctTKHjxm7C68EgHCvdifue-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">The Col de Sarenne<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Will Jones)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">3<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-f9c2902c-85a4-11f1-97f4-c3e715e93e35\">Alpe d\u2019Huez is a terrible climb. It\u2019s still enjoyable if you\u2019re into that sort of thing, but it\u2019s extremely monotonous, and a prime launchpad for watt-watching efforts. I truly believe you can get much the same experience by riding Alpe du Zwift and using your imagination. Without the throngs of fans by the roadside it feels sterile, not aided by the aspect, meaning it gets baked by the afternoon sun in its entirety. It&#8217;s far better to ride down the Alpe, and ride up the Col de Sarenne instead.<\/p>\n<p>The lesser known back way to the Alpe d\u2019Huez ski resort is being used as an ascent for the first time in the Tour de France this year, as the penultimate ascent on stage 20 this Saturday. The stage is a beast, 170km in length with the Col de la Croix de Fer, the Col du T\u00e9l\u00e9graphe and the Col du Galibier all coming before thehors cat\u00e9gorie Sarenne in the final 25km.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f9c2902c-85a4-11f1-97f4-c3e715e93e35-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Col de Sarenne was last used in 2013 as a descent, complete with hastily-added hay bales after much consternation about the danger the route presented. In order that you may be familiarised with this new col, I spent a hot afternoon in June riding it, on a beautiful loop from Alpe d\u2019Huez and back.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-f9c290a4-85a4-11f1-90f2-875c80f9a430\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">More on this&#8230;<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>&#8216;All the roads will be saturated&#8217; \u2013 Our tips for negotiating Alpe d&#8217;Huez travel chaos to watch double Tour de France stage finishes<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-f9c29108-85a4-11f1-8fba-f3c482e716d0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It is a truly sensational climb. A real climber&#8217;s climb: narrow, undulating, with distinct phases and spectacular views. There are some horrible pitches that are hidden by the stats: 12.8km at 7.5% sounds easier than the Alpe\u2019s 14km at 8%, but the Sarenne pitches up to 14% for its steepest 100m stretch, and its final 4km are at 9%, with the ultimate hairpins pitching up to 12% just to wring every joule of energy from your legs. I loved it, and I massively underestimated it.<\/p>\n<div class=\"inline-gallery inlinegallery inline-layout extended-layout full-width-layout first-slide-only kiosq-b\" data-component-name=\"Elk:Gallery:ImageGallery\" data-inline-gallery data-inline-gallery-progress-template=\"Image {currentSlide} of {totalSlides}\" data-inline-gallery-total-slides=\"4\" id=\"elk-f9c29162-85a4-11f1-9695-e97f774a22d2\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"inline-gallery__count counts\"><span class=\"slidecount current\" data-inline-gallery-count><br \/>\nImage 1 of 4<br \/>\n<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"inline-gallery__items inlinegallery-wrap\">\n<div class=\"react-swipeable-view-container\" data-inline-gallery-track>\n<div aria-hidden=\"false\" data-swipeable=\"true\" data-inline-gallery-slide-frame data-index=\"0\">\n<div class=\"items__item inlinegallery-item\" data-inline-gallery-slide data-index=\"0\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding inlinegallery-item\" data-index=\"0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit credit\"><br \/>\n(Image credit: Will Jones)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" data-swipeable=\"true\" data-inline-gallery-slide-frame data-index=\"1\">\n<div class=\"items__item inlinegallery-item\" data-inline-gallery-slide data-index=\"1\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding inlinegallery-item\" data-index=\"1\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit credit\"><br \/>\n(Image credit: Will Jones)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" data-swipeable=\"true\" data-inline-gallery-slide-frame data-index=\"2\">\n<div class=\"items__item inlinegallery-item\" data-inline-gallery-slide data-index=\"2\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding inlinegallery-item\" data-index=\"2\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit credit\"><br \/>\n(Image credit: Will Jones)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" data-swipeable=\"true\" data-inline-gallery-slide-frame data-index=\"3\">\n<div class=\"items__item inlinegallery-item\" data-inline-gallery-slide data-index=\"3\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding inlinegallery-item\" data-index=\"3\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit credit\"><br \/>\n(Image credit: Will Jones)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-images\" data-inline-gallery-expanded hidden>\n<div class=\"expanded-images__items\">\n<div class=\"react-swipeable-view-container\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-track>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__item\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-frame data-index=\"0\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__surroundings show\">\n<div class=\"surroundings__expanded-count\">\nImage 1 of 4\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"view-original__text\">View Original<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__image-wrap\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-415-80.jpg.webp 415w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__item\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-frame data-index=\"1\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__surroundings show\">\n<div class=\"surroundings__expanded-count\">\nImage 2 of 4\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"view-original__text\">View Original<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__image-wrap\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-415-80.jpg.webp 415w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__item\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-frame data-index=\"2\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__surroundings show\">\n<div class=\"surroundings__expanded-count\">\nImage 3 of 4\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"view-original__text\">View Original<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__image-wrap\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-415-80.jpg.webp 415w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__item\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-frame data-index=\"3\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__surroundings show\">\n<div class=\"surroundings__expanded-count\">\nImage 4 of 4\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"view-original__text\">View Original<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__image-wrap\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-2388-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-415-80.jpg.webp 415w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"softening-up-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Softening up<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-f9c29220-85a4-11f1-98cd-67d100fc2313\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">My route up the Sarenne began differently to that which the Tour will trace, based as I was in Alpe d\u2019Huez for some other work engagements. While the Tour heads down the more or less totally straight valley road from La Grave, I came at it from Bourg d\u2019Oisans. After an arrow-straight highway, descending to deprive you of precious metres of elevation, you enter the belly of the beast via a spectacular gorge, split by a river and a large Alpine highway.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-f9f5ef52-85a5-11f1-bb94-fdf224f8f4d3\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">The climb<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure \">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HF5NFfsyRJ7v5dtyjNB3tW-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HF5NFfsyRJ7v5dtyjNB3tW-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HF5NFfsyRJ7v5dtyjNB3tW-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HF5NFfsyRJ7v5dtyjNB3tW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HF5NFfsyRJ7v5dtyjNB3tW-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HF5NFfsyRJ7v5dtyjNB3tW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: ASO)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li>12.8km at 7.3%<\/li>\n<li>Reaches an altitude of 1,999m<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-f9f5efde-85a5-11f1-886f-eb09668845e6\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Two very manageable ramps get you to Mizoen when the climb begins, but from my point of view, with an ascent of Alpe d\u2019Huez in my legs from the day before, I was glad things weren\u2019t too severe to begin with. This way is you get two short descents and a couple of refreshingly cool tunnels to steady the ship before things begin in earnest. You also get to see the full height of the dam that holds back Lac du Chambon, which you then have to ride across. Don\u2019t look down, but don\u2019t look up either as things head relentlessly skywards from here on in.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-f9c29284-85a4-11f1-8935-99fba1f3149c\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BmK8J3hnZjRHffrrqDM7rf-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BmK8J3hnZjRHffrrqDM7rf-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BmK8J3hnZjRHffrrqDM7rf-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BmK8J3hnZjRHffrrqDM7rf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BmK8J3hnZjRHffrrqDM7rf-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BmK8J3hnZjRHffrrqDM7rf-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">A tunnel near the base of the climb <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Will Jones)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"dam-busters-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Dam busters<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-f9c29342-85a4-11f1-a4f7-d35588641edb\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Sarenne begins in earnest just after the dam. You\u2019re faced with a rusty, cubist building overlooking the expanse of water, at which point you turn left and have to tackle three ramps up to Mizoen, all over 11% and topping out, according to my Strava trace, at just over 13% on the initial pitch. It\u2019s a very sustained 2km of effort, and while it\u2019s very early in the climb to act as a launch ramp if the race is still together, it will reveal very early who has the legs.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">These ramps also mark a distinct change in feel \u2013 from here on in it feels much more Pyrenean than Alpine.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-f9c2939c-85a4-11f1-b39f-73afe1d7019c\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/49nsxeurwVEykyW2FFQEhE-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/49nsxeurwVEykyW2FFQEhE-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/49nsxeurwVEykyW2FFQEhE-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/49nsxeurwVEykyW2FFQEhE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/49nsxeurwVEykyW2FFQEhE-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/49nsxeurwVEykyW2FFQEhE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">The lake at the bottom of the climb <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Will Jones)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-f9c29400-85a4-11f1-a446-3dd2aa99cfdd\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Mizoen and the kilometre beyond it offers the first of two places to get some life back into your legs or, in the case of a race, a prime place to pick up a willing satellite domestique for a tow if the stars align. The end of this relatively flat stretch is marked by a short, sharp descent which slingshots you into another pair of ramps and hairpins, the first of which tops 15% before sending you onwards on a proper full width, two lane road to Clavans-le-Bas.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Mizoen to Clavans-le-Bas is certainly the least interesting part of the ascent. A larger road, surrounded by nondescript woodland that hides what\u2019s to come. From Clavans-le-Bas comes the second, longer section of flat-ish (2-3%) for about a kilometre and a half past grazing cows (at least when I did it) and a very timely <em>eau potable<\/em> sign with a trough to soak my sun-addled head before things really get serious.<\/p>\n<div class=\"inline-gallery inlinegallery inline-layout extended-layout full-width-layout first-slide-only kiosq-b\" data-component-name=\"Elk:Gallery:ImageGallery\" data-inline-gallery data-inline-gallery-progress-template=\"Image {currentSlide} of {totalSlides}\" data-inline-gallery-total-slides=\"3\" id=\"elk-f9c29464-85a4-11f1-98a2-f7cd3f8b05b0\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"inline-gallery__count counts\"><span class=\"slidecount current\" data-inline-gallery-count><br \/>\nImage 1 of 3<br \/>\n<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"inline-gallery__items inlinegallery-wrap\">\n<div class=\"react-swipeable-view-container\" data-inline-gallery-track>\n<div aria-hidden=\"false\" data-swipeable=\"true\" data-inline-gallery-slide-frame data-index=\"0\">\n<div class=\"items__item inlinegallery-item\" data-inline-gallery-slide data-index=\"0\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding inlinegallery-item\" data-index=\"0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit credit\"><br \/>\n(Image credit: Will Jones)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" data-swipeable=\"true\" data-inline-gallery-slide-frame data-index=\"1\">\n<div class=\"items__item inlinegallery-item\" data-inline-gallery-slide data-index=\"1\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding inlinegallery-item\" data-index=\"1\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit credit\"><br \/>\n(Image credit: Will Jones)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" data-swipeable=\"true\" data-inline-gallery-slide-frame data-index=\"2\">\n<div class=\"items__item inlinegallery-item\" data-inline-gallery-slide data-index=\"2\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding inlinegallery-item\" data-index=\"2\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit credit\"><br \/>\n(Image credit: Will Jones)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-images\" data-inline-gallery-expanded hidden>\n<div class=\"expanded-images__items\">\n<div class=\"react-swipeable-view-container\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-track>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__item\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-frame data-index=\"0\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__surroundings show\">\n<div class=\"surroundings__expanded-count\">\nImage 1 of 3\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"view-original__text\">View Original<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__image-wrap\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-415-80.jpg.webp 415w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__item\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-frame data-index=\"1\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__surroundings show\">\n<div class=\"surroundings__expanded-count\">\nImage 2 of 3\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"view-original__text\">View Original<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__image-wrap\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-415-80.jpg.webp 415w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__item\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-frame data-index=\"2\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__surroundings show\">\n<div class=\"surroundings__expanded-count\">\nImage 3 of 3\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"view-original__text\">View Original<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__image-wrap\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-415-80.jpg.webp 415w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"the-woodland-zone-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The woodland zone<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-f9c29518-85a4-11f1-be49-15cc559144d7\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">From Clavans-le-Bas to the summit there is no let-up, but the scenery is divided neatly into two parts. The first wends its way through beautiful woodland, with Alpine flowers blooming in every verge. I\u2019m not too proud to admit I was in the box a little bit at this point, and so didn\u2019t take any photos. My one memory, besides thinking \u2018Hell, this is hard work\u2019 is that I imagined the honey from here would be really excellent; I expect I was craving sugar.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The woodland does offer welcome shade before what is quite an exposed final section, but with that comes a stillness and a noticeable increase in humidity, not aided by the numerous roadside streams, which occasionally spill out onto the road.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">From the woodlands and beyond the road surface is markedly terrible. The road is wide enough for a single vehicle, and terribly pockmarked. Patches of fresh, unset bitumen sprinkled with gravel are dotted every few metres, and cause immediate wheel slip out of the saddle, and cause hitchhikers to cling to your tyres. It\u2019s not a descent I would relish, even as someone who usually cherishes Alpine descents. Given the increased focus on rider safety these days, I think if the route had gone down the Sarenne again this year there would have been uproar.<\/p>\n<div class=\"inline-gallery inlinegallery inline-layout extended-layout full-width-layout first-slide-only kiosq-b\" data-component-name=\"Elk:Gallery:ImageGallery\" data-inline-gallery data-inline-gallery-progress-template=\"Image {currentSlide} of {totalSlides}\" data-inline-gallery-total-slides=\"5\" id=\"elk-f9c2957c-85a4-11f1-820f-2de2c9e104b0\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"inline-gallery__count counts\"><span class=\"slidecount current\" data-inline-gallery-count><br \/>\nImage 1 of 5<br \/>\n<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"inline-gallery__items inlinegallery-wrap\">\n<div class=\"react-swipeable-view-container\" data-inline-gallery-track>\n<div aria-hidden=\"false\" data-swipeable=\"true\" data-inline-gallery-slide-frame data-index=\"0\">\n<div class=\"items__item inlinegallery-item\" data-inline-gallery-slide data-index=\"0\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding inlinegallery-item\" data-index=\"0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit credit\"><br \/>\n(Image credit: Will Jones)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" data-swipeable=\"true\" data-inline-gallery-slide-frame data-index=\"1\">\n<div class=\"items__item inlinegallery-item\" data-inline-gallery-slide data-index=\"1\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding inlinegallery-item\" data-index=\"1\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit credit\"><br \/>\n(Image credit: Will Jones)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" data-swipeable=\"true\" data-inline-gallery-slide-frame data-index=\"2\">\n<div class=\"items__item inlinegallery-item\" data-inline-gallery-slide data-index=\"2\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding inlinegallery-item\" data-index=\"2\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit credit\"><br \/>\n(Image credit: Will Jones)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" data-swipeable=\"true\" data-inline-gallery-slide-frame data-index=\"3\">\n<div class=\"items__item inlinegallery-item\" data-inline-gallery-slide data-index=\"3\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding inlinegallery-item\" data-index=\"3\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit credit\"><br \/>\n(Image credit: Will Jones)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" data-swipeable=\"true\" data-inline-gallery-slide-frame data-index=\"4\">\n<div class=\"items__item inlinegallery-item\" data-inline-gallery-slide data-index=\"4\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding inlinegallery-item\" data-index=\"4\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit credit\"><br \/>\n(Image credit: Will Jones)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-images\" data-inline-gallery-expanded hidden>\n<div class=\"expanded-images__items\">\n<div class=\"react-swipeable-view-container\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-track>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__item\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-frame data-index=\"0\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__surroundings show\">\n<div class=\"surroundings__expanded-count\">\nImage 1 of 5\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"view-original__text\">View Original<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__image-wrap\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-415-80.jpg.webp 415w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__item\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-frame data-index=\"1\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__surroundings show\">\n<div class=\"surroundings__expanded-count\">\nImage 2 of 5\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"view-original__text\">View Original<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__image-wrap\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-415-80.jpg.webp 415w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__item\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-frame data-index=\"2\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__surroundings show\">\n<div class=\"surroundings__expanded-count\">\nImage 3 of 5\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"view-original__text\">View Original<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__image-wrap\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-415-80.jpg.webp 415w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__item\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-frame data-index=\"3\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__surroundings show\">\n<div class=\"surroundings__expanded-count\">\nImage 4 of 5\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"view-original__text\">View Original<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__image-wrap\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-415-80.jpg.webp 415w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__item\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-frame data-index=\"4\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__surroundings show\">\n<div class=\"surroundings__expanded-count\">\nImage 5 of 5\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"view-original__text\">View Original<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__image-wrap\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-415-80.jpg.webp 415w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"a-giant-boulder-and-the-final-ascent-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A giant boulder and the final ascent <\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-f9c2963a-85a4-11f1-b5c4-45be51a42966\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The problem with the woodland, pretty though it is, is that there is a lot left to the imagination. It feels placid amongst the trees, secluded but not lonely and isolated. If, like me, you have the elevation profile on your computer you\u2019ll be left wondering when things will change. Abruptly, signposted very easily for anyone watching the race on television, the treeline gives way at a stone house perched under a comically large boulder. It\u2019s an obvious metaphor, but from here on in you are the house, and the mountain is the boulder.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The upper slopes of the Sarenne are exposed, oppressive, and considering you\u2019re only a handful of kilometres, as the crow flies, from the relatively large Alpe d\u2019Huez ski resort, they feel extremely isolated. Even compared to the single lane up the Col d\u2019Aspin in the Pyrenees it feels ancient. It doesn\u2019t impose with grandeur in the same way as the upper reaches of the Col de l\u2019Iseran, it\u2019s much prettier than that, but there is the same feel of being totally out of reach.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The main issue, beyond the gradient which never lets up and the surface which is truly awful, is the fact you can now see the top, and the ten hairpins that lie between you and the end. The first six come in quick succession, but the central portion of much longer straights and fewer hairpins is much more mentally challenging. I was glad to have to stop and take photos at this point.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-f9c29694-85a4-11f1-a486-b3accd971ece\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ha5iKy9YrUuxBApiMiUxPe-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ha5iKy9YrUuxBApiMiUxPe-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ha5iKy9YrUuxBApiMiUxPe-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ha5iKy9YrUuxBApiMiUxPe-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ha5iKy9YrUuxBApiMiUxPe-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ha5iKy9YrUuxBApiMiUxPe-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">The twists and turns up to the top <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Will Jones)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-f9c296f8-85a4-11f1-8a0d-bfe2adad8e5b\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Four kilometres from the top is where the trees give way, and it\u2019s a real grind. From a race perspective anyone who is dropped here will be able to see the race slipping away from them for almost the entirety of the rest of the way, sapping morale still further. The final couple of hairpins are short, steep, and spit you out onto what feels like a false flat for the last few hundred metres to the high point.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Unlike the climb to Alpe d\u2019Huez, which doesn\u2019t seem to finish anywhere but rather diffuses into an ugly resort leaving you without any real sense of achievement, the Sarenne does at least offer a definitive finish point. It\u2019s nondescript, marked with a sign and a modern triangular hut next to some concrete ruins, but it is a finish line nonetheless and extremely welcome.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-f9c29752-85a4-11f1-b480-ef9ab983770c\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kY5b73y2CZxagPvKV4btcm-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kY5b73y2CZxagPvKV4btcm-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kY5b73y2CZxagPvKV4btcm-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kY5b73y2CZxagPvKV4btcm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kY5b73y2CZxagPvKV4btcm-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kY5b73y2CZxagPvKV4btcm-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">The top of the climb <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Will Jones)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-f9c297b6-85a4-11f1-a3ba-ed6afb038288\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">While the peak ends here, the stage does not. Like me, riders then have to descend down the balcony road to Alpe d\u2019Huez before tackling a few final hairpins to a finish line that feels a little manufactured, especially given it will have hosted a finish just 24 hours previously. Logistically it makes sense, but from a drama perspective I\u2019m not so sure. The descent to the resort is beautiful, but far from flat and in dire need of resurfacing, or in some places just surfacing; it\u2019s gravel, in places, and offers a taste of the danger of what descending the Sarenne would be like.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f9c29810-85a4-11f1-ac37-c5f0f371877e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go! <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-vMHqAYqLBHiCJXTH5LZChP\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-vMHqAYqLBHiCJXTH5LZChP slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rcdGNkZsAp22gXEbfMFpjU-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rcdGNkZsAp22gXEbfMFpjU.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rcdGNkZsAp22gXEbfMFpjU.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rcdGNkZsAp22gXEbfMFpjU.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Will Jones<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Senior Tech Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Will joined the Cyclingnews team as a reviews writer in 2022, having previously written for Cyclist, BikeRadar and Advntr. He\u2019s tried his hand at most cycling disciplines, from the standard mix of road, gravel, and mountain bike, to the more unusual like bike polo and tracklocross. He\u2019s made his own bike frames, covered tech news from the biggest races on the planet, and published countless premium galleries thanks to his excellent photographic eye. Also, given he doesn\u2019t ever ride indoors he\u2019s become a real expert on foul-weather riding gear. His collection of bikes is a real smorgasbord, with everything from vintage-style steel tourers through to superlight flat bar hill climb machines.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kogAv54QjVoZVzHbqYaWoQ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kogAv54QjVoZVzHbqYaWoQ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kogAv54QjVoZVzHbqYaWoQ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kogAv54QjVoZVzHbqYaWoQ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kogAv54QjVoZVzHbqYaWoQ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Uncharted terrain&#8217; builds on the legend of Alpe d&#8217;Huez at this year&#8217;s Tour de France &#8211; A retrospect of two sides to one mountain<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;All the roads will be saturated&#8217; \u2013 Our tips for negotiating Alpe d&#8217;Huez travel chaos to watch double Tour de France stage finishes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6UVQwoEXi5RjnZGn3ZMMAP-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6UVQwoEXi5RjnZGn3ZMMAP-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6UVQwoEXi5RjnZGn3ZMMAP-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6UVQwoEXi5RjnZGn3ZMMAP-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6UVQwoEXi5RjnZGn3ZMMAP-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">From a crucial TTT to double Alpe d&#8217;Huez \u2013 The key stages that will decide the Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cshuGoPwjDL8CALdp773uN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cshuGoPwjDL8CALdp773uN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cshuGoPwjDL8CALdp773uN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cshuGoPwjDL8CALdp773uN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cshuGoPwjDL8CALdp773uN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Storms spark mudslides on controversial Tour de France stage route to Col de Sarenne near Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xcRHnx9R4ss9w7pJwVVKiV-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xcRHnx9R4ss9w7pJwVVKiV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xcRHnx9R4ss9w7pJwVVKiV-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xcRHnx9R4ss9w7pJwVVKiV-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xcRHnx9R4ss9w7pJwVVKiV-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Ineos with leadership issues, Seixas and Del Toro with ground to make up \u2013 GC analysis ahead of mountain triple-header in Tour Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KFkgiFUJKHidCEa6kTwwN5-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KFkgiFUJKHidCEa6kTwwN5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KFkgiFUJKHidCEa6kTwwN5-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KFkgiFUJKHidCEa6kTwwN5-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KFkgiFUJKHidCEa6kTwwN5-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France 2026 stage 20 preview<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Cycling Culture<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nQTKpb966dbMjPRncJs8nm-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nQTKpb966dbMjPRncJs8nm-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nQTKpb966dbMjPRncJs8nm-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nQTKpb966dbMjPRncJs8nm-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nQTKpb966dbMjPRncJs8nm-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Streaming<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">How to watch Tour de France Stage 17: All the broadcasters and live streams for potential breakaway day<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;All the roads will be saturated&#8217; \u2013 Our tips for negotiating Alpe d&#8217;Huez travel chaos to watch double Tour de France stage finishes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">What kind of sprinter are you? Understanding the key strengths of Tour de France fastmen \u2013 and how to beat them<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hPRr3vcit2UrP2bpsHjux-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hPRr3vcit2UrP2bpsHjux-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hPRr3vcit2UrP2bpsHjux-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hPRr3vcit2UrP2bpsHjux-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hPRr3vcit2UrP2bpsHjux-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">What is Urolithin A? New recovery-boosting supplement spotted at the Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ox6Nz652vgLwdc6xakac8U-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ox6Nz652vgLwdc6xakac8U-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ox6Nz652vgLwdc6xakac8U-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ox6Nz652vgLwdc6xakac8U-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ox6Nz652vgLwdc6xakac8U-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Culture<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tech randoms from the Tour de France \u2013 Techy, silly and curious finds from the biggest race in the world<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZiomMXhFDRZ2voo7MYAiLF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZiomMXhFDRZ2voo7MYAiLF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZiomMXhFDRZ2voo7MYAiLF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZiomMXhFDRZ2voo7MYAiLF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZiomMXhFDRZ2voo7MYAiLF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Culture<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">10 luxury watches of the Tour de France: The best timepieces we&#8217;ve seen from cycling&#8217;s biggest race<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bpkzGDuSa89n2ZwaqCKgiP-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bpkzGDuSa89n2ZwaqCKgiP-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bpkzGDuSa89n2ZwaqCKgiP-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bpkzGDuSa89n2ZwaqCKgiP-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bpkzGDuSa89n2ZwaqCKgiP-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Road Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Early Access: Watch our Van Rysel RCR-F review before it goes live on YouTube<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Artg48p9S739SfACBmSFAE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Artg48p9S739SfACBmSFAE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Artg48p9S739SfACBmSFAE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Artg48p9S739SfACBmSFAE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Artg48p9S739SfACBmSFAE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Kit &amp; Accessories<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The Rapha Summer Sale is offering better than half price savings \u2013 here are my 15 best picks from the Men&#8217;s and Women&#8217;s ranges<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KuhLSDwjdxdwEhrLkc7Sd7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KuhLSDwjdxdwEhrLkc7Sd7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KuhLSDwjdxdwEhrLkc7Sd7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KuhLSDwjdxdwEhrLkc7Sd7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KuhLSDwjdxdwEhrLkc7Sd7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Remco Evenepoel is on the rise but the battle for the Tour de France podium is far from settled \u2013 Analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UQSjGYiD2q3jftEJtY8vU5-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UQSjGYiD2q3jftEJtY8vU5-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UQSjGYiD2q3jftEJtY8vU5-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UQSjGYiD2q3jftEJtY8vU5-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UQSjGYiD2q3jftEJtY8vU5-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Mauro&#8217;s stage win was old-school GreenEDGE, and it&#8217;s been like a pressure valve release for the whole team &#8211; Luke Plapp&#8217;s Tour de France diary<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KLcoKXgChnQXa6878MVMfU-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KLcoKXgChnQXa6878MVMfU-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KLcoKXgChnQXa6878MVMfU-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KLcoKXgChnQXa6878MVMfU-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KLcoKXgChnQXa6878MVMfU-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">A crash like this shatters your dreams, you do everything you can to prepare and then it can disappear in a split second \u2013 Matej Mohori\u010d&#8217;s Tour de France diary<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;All the roads will be saturated&#8217; \u2013 Our tips for negotiating Alpe d&#8217;Huez travel chaos to watch double Tour de France stage finishes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kMoMca9WffoSrbYm3J9wNY-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kMoMca9WffoSrbYm3J9wNY-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kMoMca9WffoSrbYm3J9wNY-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kMoMca9WffoSrbYm3J9wNY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Former mountain bike World Champion set to line up at UCI Gravel Worlds in Nannup, while USPro U23 ITT champion DQ&#8217;d at FoCo Fondo &#8211; Gravel Bits<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;There&#8217;s no time for nostalgia&#8217; &#8211; Increasingly fraught fight for last-chance breaks in Tour de France keep 2026 retiree Ion Izagirre focused on race<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;It&#8217;s hard to deal with&#8217; &#8211; Tour de France stage winner Jasper Philipsen opens up on struggle against pressure of expectations<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;I completely messed up&#8217; \u2013 Devastated Michael Matthews saw a chance to win for his family at the Tour de France<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>\u2018He can ventilate the frustration, but we stick to the line\u2019 \u2013 Lidl-Trek director responds to Quinn Simmons\u2019 comments on team\u2019s Tour de France priorities<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nCycling Culture\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>I rode the Col de Sarenne to see what the newest Tour de France climb is really like \u2013 Here&#8217;s what&#8217;s in store for the Queen stage<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nWill Jones <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-22T08:20:33Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n22 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Harder, steeper, and substantially more beautiful that Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ctTKHjxm7C68EgHCvdifue-1920-80.png.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ctTKHjxm7C68EgHCvdifue-1600-80.png.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ctTKHjxm7C68EgHCvdifue-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ctTKHjxm7C68EgHCvdifue-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ctTKHjxm7C68EgHCvdifue-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ctTKHjxm7C68EgHCvdifue-750-80.png.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ctTKHjxm7C68EgHCvdifue-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ctTKHjxm7C68EgHCvdifue-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ctTKHjxm7C68EgHCvdifue-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"caption-text font-article-copy\">The Col de Sarenne<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Will Jones)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">3<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-f9c2902c-85a4-11f1-97f4-c3e715e93e35\">Alpe d\u2019Huez is a terrible climb. It\u2019s still enjoyable if you\u2019re into that sort of thing, but it\u2019s extremely monotonous, and a prime launchpad for watt-watching efforts. I truly believe you can get much the same experience by riding Alpe du Zwift and using your imagination. Without the throngs of fans by the roadside it feels sterile, not aided by the aspect, meaning it gets baked by the afternoon sun in its entirety. It&#8217;s far better to ride down the Alpe, and ride up the Col de Sarenne instead.<\/p>\n<p>The lesser known back way to the Alpe d\u2019Huez ski resort is being used as an ascent for the first time in the Tour de France this year, as the penultimate ascent on stage 20 this Saturday. The stage is a beast, 170km in length with the Col de la Croix de Fer, the Col du T\u00e9l\u00e9graphe and the Col du Galibier all coming before thehors cat\u00e9gorie Sarenne in the final 25km.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f9c2902c-85a4-11f1-97f4-c3e715e93e35-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Col de Sarenne was last used in 2013 as a descent, complete with hastily-added hay bales after much consternation about the danger the route presented. In order that you may be familiarised with this new col, I spent a hot afternoon in June riding it, on a beautiful loop from Alpe d\u2019Huez and back.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-f9c290a4-85a4-11f1-90f2-875c80f9a430\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">More on this&#8230;<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>&#8216;All the roads will be saturated&#8217; \u2013 Our tips for negotiating Alpe d&#8217;Huez travel chaos to watch double Tour de France stage finishes<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-f9c29108-85a4-11f1-8fba-f3c482e716d0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It is a truly sensational climb. A real climber&#8217;s climb: narrow, undulating, with distinct phases and spectacular views. There are some horrible pitches that are hidden by the stats: 12.8km at 7.5% sounds easier than the Alpe\u2019s 14km at 8%, but the Sarenne pitches up to 14% for its steepest 100m stretch, and its final 4km are at 9%, with the ultimate hairpins pitching up to 12% just to wring every joule of energy from your legs. I loved it, and I massively underestimated it.<\/p>\n<div class=\"inline-gallery inlinegallery inline-layout extended-layout full-width-layout first-slide-only kiosq-b\" data-component-name=\"Elk:Gallery:ImageGallery\" data-inline-gallery data-inline-gallery-progress-template=\"Image {currentSlide} of {totalSlides}\" data-inline-gallery-total-slides=\"4\" id=\"elk-f9c29162-85a4-11f1-9695-e97f774a22d2\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"inline-gallery__count counts\"><span class=\"slidecount current\" data-inline-gallery-count><br \/>\nImage 1 of 4<br \/>\n<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"inline-gallery__items inlinegallery-wrap\">\n<div class=\"react-swipeable-view-container\" data-inline-gallery-track>\n<div aria-hidden=\"false\" data-swipeable=\"true\" data-inline-gallery-slide-frame data-index=\"0\">\n<div class=\"items__item inlinegallery-item\" data-inline-gallery-slide data-index=\"0\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding inlinegallery-item\" data-index=\"0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit credit\"><br \/>\n(Image credit: Will Jones)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" data-swipeable=\"true\" data-inline-gallery-slide-frame data-index=\"1\">\n<div class=\"items__item inlinegallery-item\" data-inline-gallery-slide data-index=\"1\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding inlinegallery-item\" data-index=\"1\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit credit\"><br \/>\n(Image credit: Will Jones)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" data-swipeable=\"true\" data-inline-gallery-slide-frame data-index=\"2\">\n<div class=\"items__item inlinegallery-item\" data-inline-gallery-slide data-index=\"2\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding inlinegallery-item\" data-index=\"2\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit credit\"><br \/>\n(Image credit: Will Jones)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" data-swipeable=\"true\" data-inline-gallery-slide-frame data-index=\"3\">\n<div class=\"items__item inlinegallery-item\" data-inline-gallery-slide data-index=\"3\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding inlinegallery-item\" data-index=\"3\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit credit\"><br \/>\n(Image credit: Will Jones)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-images\" data-inline-gallery-expanded hidden>\n<div class=\"expanded-images__items\">\n<div class=\"react-swipeable-view-container\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-track>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__item\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-frame data-index=\"0\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__surroundings show\">\n<div class=\"surroundings__expanded-count\">\nImage 1 of 4\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"view-original__text\">View Original<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__image-wrap\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-415-80.jpg.webp 415w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__item\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-frame data-index=\"1\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__surroundings show\">\n<div class=\"surroundings__expanded-count\">\nImage 2 of 4\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"view-original__text\">View Original<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__image-wrap\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-415-80.jpg.webp 415w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__item\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-frame data-index=\"2\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__surroundings show\">\n<div class=\"surroundings__expanded-count\">\nImage 3 of 4\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"view-original__text\">View Original<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__image-wrap\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-415-80.jpg.webp 415w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__item\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-frame data-index=\"3\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__surroundings show\">\n<div class=\"surroundings__expanded-count\">\nImage 4 of 4\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"view-original__text\">View Original<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__image-wrap\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-2388-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-415-80.jpg.webp 415w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"softening-up-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Softening up<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-f9c29220-85a4-11f1-98cd-67d100fc2313\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">My route up the Sarenne began differently to that which the Tour will trace, based as I was in Alpe d\u2019Huez for some other work engagements. While the Tour heads down the more or less totally straight valley road from La Grave, I came at it from Bourg d\u2019Oisans. After an arrow-straight highway, descending to deprive you of precious metres of elevation, you enter the belly of the beast via a spectacular gorge, split by a river and a large Alpine highway.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-f9f5ef52-85a5-11f1-bb94-fdf224f8f4d3\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">The climb<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure \">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HF5NFfsyRJ7v5dtyjNB3tW-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HF5NFfsyRJ7v5dtyjNB3tW-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HF5NFfsyRJ7v5dtyjNB3tW-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HF5NFfsyRJ7v5dtyjNB3tW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HF5NFfsyRJ7v5dtyjNB3tW-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HF5NFfsyRJ7v5dtyjNB3tW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: ASO)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li>12.8km at 7.3%<\/li>\n<li>Reaches an altitude of 1,999m<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-f9f5efde-85a5-11f1-886f-eb09668845e6\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Two very manageable ramps get you to Mizoen when the climb begins, but from my point of view, with an ascent of Alpe d\u2019Huez in my legs from the day before, I was glad things weren\u2019t too severe to begin with. This way is you get two short descents and a couple of refreshingly cool tunnels to steady the ship before things begin in earnest. You also get to see the full height of the dam that holds back Lac du Chambon, which you then have to ride across. Don\u2019t look down, but don\u2019t look up either as things head relentlessly skywards from here on in.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-f9c29284-85a4-11f1-8935-99fba1f3149c\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BmK8J3hnZjRHffrrqDM7rf-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BmK8J3hnZjRHffrrqDM7rf-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BmK8J3hnZjRHffrrqDM7rf-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BmK8J3hnZjRHffrrqDM7rf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BmK8J3hnZjRHffrrqDM7rf-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BmK8J3hnZjRHffrrqDM7rf-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">A tunnel near the base of the climb <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Will Jones)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"dam-busters-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Dam busters<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-f9c29342-85a4-11f1-a4f7-d35588641edb\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Sarenne begins in earnest just after the dam. You\u2019re faced with a rusty, cubist building overlooking the expanse of water, at which point you turn left and have to tackle three ramps up to Mizoen, all over 11% and topping out, according to my Strava trace, at just over 13% on the initial pitch. It\u2019s a very sustained 2km of effort, and while it\u2019s very early in the climb to act as a launch ramp if the race is still together, it will reveal very early who has the legs.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">These ramps also mark a distinct change in feel \u2013 from here on in it feels much more Pyrenean than Alpine.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-f9c2939c-85a4-11f1-b39f-73afe1d7019c\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/49nsxeurwVEykyW2FFQEhE-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/49nsxeurwVEykyW2FFQEhE-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/49nsxeurwVEykyW2FFQEhE-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/49nsxeurwVEykyW2FFQEhE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/49nsxeurwVEykyW2FFQEhE-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/49nsxeurwVEykyW2FFQEhE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">The lake at the bottom of the climb <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Will Jones)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-f9c29400-85a4-11f1-a446-3dd2aa99cfdd\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Mizoen and the kilometre beyond it offers the first of two places to get some life back into your legs or, in the case of a race, a prime place to pick up a willing satellite domestique for a tow if the stars align. The end of this relatively flat stretch is marked by a short, sharp descent which slingshots you into another pair of ramps and hairpins, the first of which tops 15% before sending you onwards on a proper full width, two lane road to Clavans-le-Bas.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Mizoen to Clavans-le-Bas is certainly the least interesting part of the ascent. A larger road, surrounded by nondescript woodland that hides what\u2019s to come. From Clavans-le-Bas comes the second, longer section of flat-ish (2-3%) for about a kilometre and a half past grazing cows (at least when I did it) and a very timely <em>eau potable<\/em> sign with a trough to soak my sun-addled head before things really get serious.<\/p>\n<div class=\"inline-gallery inlinegallery inline-layout extended-layout full-width-layout first-slide-only kiosq-b\" data-component-name=\"Elk:Gallery:ImageGallery\" data-inline-gallery data-inline-gallery-progress-template=\"Image {currentSlide} of {totalSlides}\" data-inline-gallery-total-slides=\"3\" id=\"elk-f9c29464-85a4-11f1-98a2-f7cd3f8b05b0\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"inline-gallery__count counts\"><span class=\"slidecount current\" data-inline-gallery-count><br \/>\nImage 1 of 3<br \/>\n<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"inline-gallery__items inlinegallery-wrap\">\n<div class=\"react-swipeable-view-container\" data-inline-gallery-track>\n<div aria-hidden=\"false\" data-swipeable=\"true\" data-inline-gallery-slide-frame data-index=\"0\">\n<div class=\"items__item inlinegallery-item\" data-inline-gallery-slide data-index=\"0\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding inlinegallery-item\" data-index=\"0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit credit\"><br \/>\n(Image credit: Will Jones)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" data-swipeable=\"true\" data-inline-gallery-slide-frame data-index=\"1\">\n<div class=\"items__item inlinegallery-item\" data-inline-gallery-slide data-index=\"1\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding inlinegallery-item\" data-index=\"1\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit credit\"><br \/>\n(Image credit: Will Jones)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" data-swipeable=\"true\" data-inline-gallery-slide-frame data-index=\"2\">\n<div class=\"items__item inlinegallery-item\" data-inline-gallery-slide data-index=\"2\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding inlinegallery-item\" data-index=\"2\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit credit\"><br \/>\n(Image credit: Will Jones)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-images\" data-inline-gallery-expanded hidden>\n<div class=\"expanded-images__items\">\n<div class=\"react-swipeable-view-container\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-track>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__item\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-frame data-index=\"0\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__surroundings show\">\n<div class=\"surroundings__expanded-count\">\nImage 1 of 3\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"view-original__text\">View Original<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__image-wrap\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-415-80.jpg.webp 415w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__item\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-frame data-index=\"1\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__surroundings show\">\n<div class=\"surroundings__expanded-count\">\nImage 2 of 3\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"view-original__text\">View Original<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__image-wrap\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-415-80.jpg.webp 415w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__item\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-frame data-index=\"2\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__surroundings show\">\n<div class=\"surroundings__expanded-count\">\nImage 3 of 3\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"view-original__text\">View Original<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__image-wrap\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-415-80.jpg.webp 415w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"the-woodland-zone-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The woodland zone<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-f9c29518-85a4-11f1-be49-15cc559144d7\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">From Clavans-le-Bas to the summit there is no let-up, but the scenery is divided neatly into two parts. The first wends its way through beautiful woodland, with Alpine flowers blooming in every verge. I\u2019m not too proud to admit I was in the box a little bit at this point, and so didn\u2019t take any photos. My one memory, besides thinking \u2018Hell, this is hard work\u2019 is that I imagined the honey from here would be really excellent; I expect I was craving sugar.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The woodland does offer welcome shade before what is quite an exposed final section, but with that comes a stillness and a noticeable increase in humidity, not aided by the numerous roadside streams, which occasionally spill out onto the road.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">From the woodlands and beyond the road surface is markedly terrible. The road is wide enough for a single vehicle, and terribly pockmarked. Patches of fresh, unset bitumen sprinkled with gravel are dotted every few metres, and cause immediate wheel slip out of the saddle, and cause hitchhikers to cling to your tyres. It\u2019s not a descent I would relish, even as someone who usually cherishes Alpine descents. Given the increased focus on rider safety these days, I think if the route had gone down the Sarenne again this year there would have been uproar.<\/p>\n<div class=\"inline-gallery inlinegallery inline-layout extended-layout full-width-layout first-slide-only kiosq-b\" data-component-name=\"Elk:Gallery:ImageGallery\" data-inline-gallery data-inline-gallery-progress-template=\"Image {currentSlide} of {totalSlides}\" data-inline-gallery-total-slides=\"5\" id=\"elk-f9c2957c-85a4-11f1-820f-2de2c9e104b0\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"inline-gallery__count counts\"><span class=\"slidecount current\" data-inline-gallery-count><br \/>\nImage 1 of 5<br \/>\n<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"inline-gallery__items inlinegallery-wrap\">\n<div class=\"react-swipeable-view-container\" data-inline-gallery-track>\n<div aria-hidden=\"false\" data-swipeable=\"true\" data-inline-gallery-slide-frame data-index=\"0\">\n<div class=\"items__item inlinegallery-item\" data-inline-gallery-slide data-index=\"0\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding inlinegallery-item\" data-index=\"0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit credit\"><br \/>\n(Image credit: Will Jones)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" data-swipeable=\"true\" data-inline-gallery-slide-frame data-index=\"1\">\n<div class=\"items__item inlinegallery-item\" data-inline-gallery-slide data-index=\"1\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding inlinegallery-item\" data-index=\"1\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit credit\"><br \/>\n(Image credit: Will Jones)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" data-swipeable=\"true\" data-inline-gallery-slide-frame data-index=\"2\">\n<div class=\"items__item inlinegallery-item\" data-inline-gallery-slide data-index=\"2\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding inlinegallery-item\" data-index=\"2\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit credit\"><br \/>\n(Image credit: Will Jones)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" data-swipeable=\"true\" data-inline-gallery-slide-frame data-index=\"3\">\n<div class=\"items__item inlinegallery-item\" data-inline-gallery-slide data-index=\"3\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding inlinegallery-item\" data-index=\"3\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit credit\"><br \/>\n(Image credit: Will Jones)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" data-swipeable=\"true\" data-inline-gallery-slide-frame data-index=\"4\">\n<div class=\"items__item inlinegallery-item\" data-inline-gallery-slide data-index=\"4\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding inlinegallery-item\" data-index=\"4\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit credit\"><br \/>\n(Image credit: Will Jones)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-images\" data-inline-gallery-expanded hidden>\n<div class=\"expanded-images__items\">\n<div class=\"react-swipeable-view-container\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-track>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__item\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-frame data-index=\"0\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__surroundings show\">\n<div class=\"surroundings__expanded-count\">\nImage 1 of 5\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"view-original__text\">View Original<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__image-wrap\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-415-80.jpg.webp 415w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__item\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-frame data-index=\"1\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__surroundings show\">\n<div class=\"surroundings__expanded-count\">\nImage 2 of 5\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"view-original__text\">View Original<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__image-wrap\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-415-80.jpg.webp 415w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__item\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-frame data-index=\"2\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__surroundings show\">\n<div class=\"surroundings__expanded-count\">\nImage 3 of 5\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"view-original__text\">View Original<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__image-wrap\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-415-80.jpg.webp 415w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__item\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-frame data-index=\"3\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__surroundings show\">\n<div class=\"surroundings__expanded-count\">\nImage 4 of 5\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"view-original__text\">View Original<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__image-wrap\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-415-80.jpg.webp 415w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__item\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-frame data-index=\"4\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__surroundings show\">\n<div class=\"surroundings__expanded-count\">\nImage 5 of 5\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"view-original__text\">View Original<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__image-wrap\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-415-80.jpg.webp 415w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"a-giant-boulder-and-the-final-ascent-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A giant boulder and the final ascent <\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-f9c2963a-85a4-11f1-b5c4-45be51a42966\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The problem with the woodland, pretty though it is, is that there is a lot left to the imagination. It feels placid amongst the trees, secluded but not lonely and isolated. If, like me, you have the elevation profile on your computer you\u2019ll be left wondering when things will change. Abruptly, signposted very easily for anyone watching the race on television, the treeline gives way at a stone house perched under a comically large boulder. It\u2019s an obvious metaphor, but from here on in you are the house, and the mountain is the boulder.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The upper slopes of the Sarenne are exposed, oppressive, and considering you\u2019re only a handful of kilometres, as the crow flies, from the relatively large Alpe d\u2019Huez ski resort, they feel extremely isolated. Even compared to the single lane up the Col d\u2019Aspin in the Pyrenees it feels ancient. It doesn\u2019t impose with grandeur in the same way as the upper reaches of the Col de l\u2019Iseran, it\u2019s much prettier than that, but there is the same feel of being totally out of reach.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The main issue, beyond the gradient which never lets up and the surface which is truly awful, is the fact you can now see the top, and the ten hairpins that lie between you and the end. The first six come in quick succession, but the central portion of much longer straights and fewer hairpins is much more mentally challenging. I was glad to have to stop and take photos at this point.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-f9c29694-85a4-11f1-a486-b3accd971ece\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ha5iKy9YrUuxBApiMiUxPe-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ha5iKy9YrUuxBApiMiUxPe-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ha5iKy9YrUuxBApiMiUxPe-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ha5iKy9YrUuxBApiMiUxPe-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ha5iKy9YrUuxBApiMiUxPe-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ha5iKy9YrUuxBApiMiUxPe-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">The twists and turns up to the top <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Will Jones)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-f9c296f8-85a4-11f1-8a0d-bfe2adad8e5b\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Four kilometres from the top is where the trees give way, and it\u2019s a real grind. From a race perspective anyone who is dropped here will be able to see the race slipping away from them for almost the entirety of the rest of the way, sapping morale still further. The final couple of hairpins are short, steep, and spit you out onto what feels like a false flat for the last few hundred metres to the high point.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Unlike the climb to Alpe d\u2019Huez, which doesn\u2019t seem to finish anywhere but rather diffuses into an ugly resort leaving you without any real sense of achievement, the Sarenne does at least offer a definitive finish point. It\u2019s nondescript, marked with a sign and a modern triangular hut next to some concrete ruins, but it is a finish line nonetheless and extremely welcome.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-f9c29752-85a4-11f1-b480-ef9ab983770c\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kY5b73y2CZxagPvKV4btcm-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kY5b73y2CZxagPvKV4btcm-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kY5b73y2CZxagPvKV4btcm-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kY5b73y2CZxagPvKV4btcm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kY5b73y2CZxagPvKV4btcm-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kY5b73y2CZxagPvKV4btcm-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">The top of the climb <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Will Jones)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-f9c297b6-85a4-11f1-a3ba-ed6afb038288\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">While the peak ends here, the stage does not. Like me, riders then have to descend down the balcony road to Alpe d\u2019Huez before tackling a few final hairpins to a finish line that feels a little manufactured, especially given it will have hosted a finish just 24 hours previously. Logistically it makes sense, but from a drama perspective I\u2019m not so sure. The descent to the resort is beautiful, but far from flat and in dire need of resurfacing, or in some places just surfacing; it\u2019s gravel, in places, and offers a taste of the danger of what descending the Sarenne would be like.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f9c29810-85a4-11f1-ac37-c5f0f371877e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go! <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-vMHqAYqLBHiCJXTH5LZChP\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-vMHqAYqLBHiCJXTH5LZChP slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rcdGNkZsAp22gXEbfMFpjU-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rcdGNkZsAp22gXEbfMFpjU.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rcdGNkZsAp22gXEbfMFpjU.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/rcdGNkZsAp22gXEbfMFpjU.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Will Jones<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Senior Tech Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Will joined the Cyclingnews team as a reviews writer in 2022, having previously written for Cyclist, BikeRadar and Advntr. He\u2019s tried his hand at most cycling disciplines, from the standard mix of road, gravel, and mountain bike, to the more unusual like bike polo and tracklocross. He\u2019s made his own bike frames, covered tech news from the biggest races on the planet, and published countless premium galleries thanks to his excellent photographic eye. Also, given he doesn\u2019t ever ride indoors he\u2019s become a real expert on foul-weather riding gear. His collection of bikes is a real smorgasbord, with everything from vintage-style steel tourers through to superlight flat bar hill climb machines.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kogAv54QjVoZVzHbqYaWoQ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kogAv54QjVoZVzHbqYaWoQ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kogAv54QjVoZVzHbqYaWoQ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kogAv54QjVoZVzHbqYaWoQ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kogAv54QjVoZVzHbqYaWoQ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Uncharted terrain&#8217; builds on the legend of Alpe d&#8217;Huez at this year&#8217;s Tour de France &#8211; A retrospect of two sides to one mountain<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;All the roads will be saturated&#8217; \u2013 Our tips for negotiating Alpe d&#8217;Huez travel chaos to watch double Tour de France stage finishes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6UVQwoEXi5RjnZGn3ZMMAP-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6UVQwoEXi5RjnZGn3ZMMAP-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6UVQwoEXi5RjnZGn3ZMMAP-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6UVQwoEXi5RjnZGn3ZMMAP-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6UVQwoEXi5RjnZGn3ZMMAP-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">From a crucial TTT to double Alpe d&#8217;Huez \u2013 The key stages that will decide the Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cshuGoPwjDL8CALdp773uN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cshuGoPwjDL8CALdp773uN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cshuGoPwjDL8CALdp773uN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cshuGoPwjDL8CALdp773uN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/cshuGoPwjDL8CALdp773uN-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Storms spark mudslides on controversial Tour de France stage route to Col de Sarenne near Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xcRHnx9R4ss9w7pJwVVKiV-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xcRHnx9R4ss9w7pJwVVKiV-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xcRHnx9R4ss9w7pJwVVKiV-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xcRHnx9R4ss9w7pJwVVKiV-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xcRHnx9R4ss9w7pJwVVKiV-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Ineos with leadership issues, Seixas and Del Toro with ground to make up \u2013 GC analysis ahead of mountain triple-header in Tour Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KFkgiFUJKHidCEa6kTwwN5-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KFkgiFUJKHidCEa6kTwwN5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KFkgiFUJKHidCEa6kTwwN5-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KFkgiFUJKHidCEa6kTwwN5-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KFkgiFUJKHidCEa6kTwwN5-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tour de France 2026 stage 20 preview<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Cycling Culture<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nQTKpb966dbMjPRncJs8nm-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nQTKpb966dbMjPRncJs8nm-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nQTKpb966dbMjPRncJs8nm-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nQTKpb966dbMjPRncJs8nm-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nQTKpb966dbMjPRncJs8nm-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Streaming<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">How to watch Tour de France Stage 17: All the broadcasters and live streams for potential breakaway day<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;All the roads will be saturated&#8217; \u2013 Our tips for negotiating Alpe d&#8217;Huez travel chaos to watch double Tour de France stage finishes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BiHekMhjdxc5ycifqhpGNb-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">What kind of sprinter are you? Understanding the key strengths of Tour de France fastmen \u2013 and how to beat them<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hPRr3vcit2UrP2bpsHjux-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hPRr3vcit2UrP2bpsHjux-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hPRr3vcit2UrP2bpsHjux-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hPRr3vcit2UrP2bpsHjux-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/hPRr3vcit2UrP2bpsHjux-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Training<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">What is Urolithin A? New recovery-boosting supplement spotted at the Tour de France<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ox6Nz652vgLwdc6xakac8U-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ox6Nz652vgLwdc6xakac8U-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ox6Nz652vgLwdc6xakac8U-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ox6Nz652vgLwdc6xakac8U-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ox6Nz652vgLwdc6xakac8U-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Culture<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Tech randoms from the Tour de France \u2013 Techy, silly and curious finds from the biggest race in the world<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZiomMXhFDRZ2voo7MYAiLF-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZiomMXhFDRZ2voo7MYAiLF-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZiomMXhFDRZ2voo7MYAiLF-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZiomMXhFDRZ2voo7MYAiLF-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZiomMXhFDRZ2voo7MYAiLF-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Culture<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">10 luxury watches of the Tour de France: The best timepieces we&#8217;ve seen from cycling&#8217;s biggest race<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Features<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bpkzGDuSa89n2ZwaqCKgiP-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bpkzGDuSa89n2ZwaqCKgiP-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bpkzGDuSa89n2ZwaqCKgiP-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bpkzGDuSa89n2ZwaqCKgiP-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bpkzGDuSa89n2ZwaqCKgiP-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Road Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Early Access: Watch our Van Rysel RCR-F review before it goes live on YouTube<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Artg48p9S739SfACBmSFAE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Artg48p9S739SfACBmSFAE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Artg48p9S739SfACBmSFAE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Artg48p9S739SfACBmSFAE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Artg48p9S739SfACBmSFAE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Cycling Kit &amp; Accessories<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">The Rapha Summer Sale is offering better than half price savings \u2013 here are my 15 best picks from the Men&#8217;s and Women&#8217;s ranges<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KuhLSDwjdxdwEhrLkc7Sd7-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KuhLSDwjdxdwEhrLkc7Sd7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KuhLSDwjdxdwEhrLkc7Sd7-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KuhLSDwjdxdwEhrLkc7Sd7-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KuhLSDwjdxdwEhrLkc7Sd7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Remco Evenepoel is on the rise but the battle for the Tour de France podium is far from settled \u2013 Analysis<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UQSjGYiD2q3jftEJtY8vU5-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UQSjGYiD2q3jftEJtY8vU5-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UQSjGYiD2q3jftEJtY8vU5-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UQSjGYiD2q3jftEJtY8vU5-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UQSjGYiD2q3jftEJtY8vU5-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Mauro&#8217;s stage win was old-school GreenEDGE, and it&#8217;s been like a pressure valve release for the whole team &#8211; Luke Plapp&#8217;s Tour de France diary<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KLcoKXgChnQXa6878MVMfU-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KLcoKXgChnQXa6878MVMfU-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KLcoKXgChnQXa6878MVMfU-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KLcoKXgChnQXa6878MVMfU-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/KLcoKXgChnQXa6878MVMfU-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">A crash like this shatters your dreams, you do everything you can to prepare and then it can disappear in a split second \u2013 Matej Mohori\u010d&#8217;s Tour de France diary<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;All the roads will be saturated&#8217; \u2013 Our tips for negotiating Alpe d&#8217;Huez travel chaos to watch double Tour de France stage finishes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kMoMca9WffoSrbYm3J9wNY-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kMoMca9WffoSrbYm3J9wNY-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kMoMca9WffoSrbYm3J9wNY-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kMoMca9WffoSrbYm3J9wNY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Former mountain bike World Champion set to line up at UCI Gravel Worlds in Nannup, while USPro U23 ITT champion DQ&#8217;d at FoCo Fondo &#8211; Gravel Bits<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;There&#8217;s no time for nostalgia&#8217; &#8211; Increasingly fraught fight for last-chance breaks in Tour de France keep 2026 retiree Ion Izagirre focused on race<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div 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class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>\u2018He can ventilate the frustration, but we stick to the line\u2019 \u2013 Lidl-Trek director responds to Quinn Simmons\u2019 comments on team\u2019s Tour de France priorities<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nCycling Culture\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>I rode the Col de Sarenne to see what the newest Tour de France climb is really like \u2013 Here&#8217;s what&#8217;s in store for the Queen stage<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>Features<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nWill Jones <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-22T08:20:33Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n22 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Harder, steeper, and substantially more beautiful that Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our 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Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">3<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-f9c2902c-85a4-11f1-97f4-c3e715e93e35\">Alpe d\u2019Huez is a terrible climb. It\u2019s still enjoyable if you\u2019re into that sort of thing, but it\u2019s extremely monotonous, and a prime launchpad for watt-watching efforts. I truly believe you can get much the same experience by riding Alpe du Zwift and using your imagination. Without the throngs of fans by the roadside it feels sterile, not aided by the aspect, meaning it gets baked by the afternoon sun in its entirety. It&#8217;s far better to ride down the Alpe, and ride up the Col de Sarenne instead.<\/p>\n<p>The lesser known back way to the Alpe d\u2019Huez ski resort is being used as an ascent for the first time in the Tour de France this year, as the penultimate ascent on stage 20 this Saturday. The stage is a beast, 170km in length with the Col de la Croix de Fer, the Col du T\u00e9l\u00e9graphe and the Col du Galibier all coming before thehors cat\u00e9gorie Sarenne in the final 25km.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f9c2902c-85a4-11f1-97f4-c3e715e93e35-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Col de Sarenne was last used in 2013 as a descent, complete with hastily-added hay bales after much consternation about the danger the route presented. In order that you may be familiarised with this new col, I spent a hot afternoon in June riding it, on a beautiful loop from Alpe d\u2019Huez and back.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-f9c290a4-85a4-11f1-90f2-875c80f9a430\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">More on this&#8230;<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<ul>\n<li><strong>&#8216;All the roads will be saturated&#8217; \u2013 Our tips for negotiating Alpe d&#8217;Huez travel chaos to watch double Tour de France stage finishes<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-f9c29108-85a4-11f1-8fba-f3c482e716d0\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It is a truly sensational climb. A real climber&#8217;s climb: narrow, undulating, with distinct phases and spectacular views. There are some horrible pitches that are hidden by the stats: 12.8km at 7.5% sounds easier than the Alpe\u2019s 14km at 8%, but the Sarenne pitches up to 14% for its steepest 100m stretch, and its final 4km are at 9%, with the ultimate hairpins pitching up to 12% just to wring every joule of energy from your legs. I loved it, and I massively underestimated it.<\/p>\n<div class=\"inline-gallery inlinegallery inline-layout extended-layout full-width-layout first-slide-only kiosq-b\" data-component-name=\"Elk:Gallery:ImageGallery\" data-inline-gallery data-inline-gallery-progress-template=\"Image {currentSlide} of {totalSlides}\" data-inline-gallery-total-slides=\"4\" id=\"elk-f9c29162-85a4-11f1-9695-e97f774a22d2\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"inline-gallery__count counts\"><span class=\"slidecount current\" data-inline-gallery-count><br \/>\nImage 1 of 4<br \/>\n<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"inline-gallery__items inlinegallery-wrap\">\n<div class=\"react-swipeable-view-container\" data-inline-gallery-track>\n<div aria-hidden=\"false\" data-swipeable=\"true\" data-inline-gallery-slide-frame data-index=\"0\">\n<div class=\"items__item inlinegallery-item\" data-inline-gallery-slide data-index=\"0\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding inlinegallery-item\" data-index=\"0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit credit\"><br \/>\n(Image credit: Will Jones)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" data-swipeable=\"true\" data-inline-gallery-slide-frame data-index=\"1\">\n<div class=\"items__item inlinegallery-item\" data-inline-gallery-slide data-index=\"1\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding inlinegallery-item\" data-index=\"1\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit credit\"><br \/>\n(Image credit: Will Jones)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" data-swipeable=\"true\" data-inline-gallery-slide-frame data-index=\"2\">\n<div class=\"items__item inlinegallery-item\" data-inline-gallery-slide data-index=\"2\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding inlinegallery-item\" data-index=\"2\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit credit\"><br \/>\n(Image credit: Will Jones)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" data-swipeable=\"true\" data-inline-gallery-slide-frame data-index=\"3\">\n<div class=\"items__item inlinegallery-item\" data-inline-gallery-slide data-index=\"3\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding inlinegallery-item\" data-index=\"3\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit credit\"><br \/>\n(Image credit: Will Jones)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-images\" data-inline-gallery-expanded hidden>\n<div class=\"expanded-images__items\">\n<div class=\"react-swipeable-view-container\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-track>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__item\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-frame data-index=\"0\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__surroundings show\">\n<div class=\"surroundings__expanded-count\">\nImage 1 of 4\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"view-original__text\">View Original<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__image-wrap\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bvoNdn2R9dmHsHTzDPQR5Z-415-80.jpg.webp 415w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__item\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-frame data-index=\"1\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__surroundings show\">\n<div class=\"surroundings__expanded-count\">\nImage 2 of 4\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"view-original__text\">View Original<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__image-wrap\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mnA7CPcdcnbsSoZycNsR4Z-415-80.jpg.webp 415w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__item\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-frame data-index=\"2\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__surroundings show\">\n<div class=\"surroundings__expanded-count\">\nImage 3 of 4\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"view-original__text\">View Original<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__image-wrap\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/684NLVGXA9XM6VAfahNfeY-415-80.jpg.webp 415w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__item\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-frame data-index=\"3\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__surroundings show\">\n<div class=\"surroundings__expanded-count\">\nImage 4 of 4\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"view-original__text\">View Original<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__image-wrap\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-2388-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ysBXUBQLAkpPYeP36PwkcX-415-80.jpg.webp 415w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"softening-up-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Softening up<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-f9c29220-85a4-11f1-98cd-67d100fc2313\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">My route up the Sarenne began differently to that which the Tour will trace, based as I was in Alpe d\u2019Huez for some other work engagements. While the Tour heads down the more or less totally straight valley road from La Grave, I came at it from Bourg d\u2019Oisans. After an arrow-straight highway, descending to deprive you of precious metres of elevation, you enter the belly of the beast via a spectacular gorge, split by a river and a large Alpine highway.<\/p>\n<div class=\"fancy-box kiosq-b\" id=\"elk-f9f5ef52-85a5-11f1-bb94-fdf224f8f4d3\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"fancy_box-title\">The climb<\/div>\n<div class=\"fancy_box_body\">\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure \">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HF5NFfsyRJ7v5dtyjNB3tW-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HF5NFfsyRJ7v5dtyjNB3tW-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HF5NFfsyRJ7v5dtyjNB3tW-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HF5NFfsyRJ7v5dtyjNB3tW-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HF5NFfsyRJ7v5dtyjNB3tW-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/HF5NFfsyRJ7v5dtyjNB3tW-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: ASO)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<ul>\n<li>12.8km at 7.3%<\/li>\n<li>Reaches an altitude of 1,999m<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-f9f5efde-85a5-11f1-886f-eb09668845e6\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Two very manageable ramps get you to Mizoen when the climb begins, but from my point of view, with an ascent of Alpe d\u2019Huez in my legs from the day before, I was glad things weren\u2019t too severe to begin with. This way is you get two short descents and a couple of refreshingly cool tunnels to steady the ship before things begin in earnest. You also get to see the full height of the dam that holds back Lac du Chambon, which you then have to ride across. Don\u2019t look down, but don\u2019t look up either as things head relentlessly skywards from here on in.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-f9c29284-85a4-11f1-8935-99fba1f3149c\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BmK8J3hnZjRHffrrqDM7rf-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BmK8J3hnZjRHffrrqDM7rf-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BmK8J3hnZjRHffrrqDM7rf-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BmK8J3hnZjRHffrrqDM7rf-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BmK8J3hnZjRHffrrqDM7rf-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/BmK8J3hnZjRHffrrqDM7rf-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">A tunnel near the base of the climb <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Will Jones)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 id=\"dam-busters-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Dam busters<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-f9c29342-85a4-11f1-a4f7-d35588641edb\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Sarenne begins in earnest just after the dam. You\u2019re faced with a rusty, cubist building overlooking the expanse of water, at which point you turn left and have to tackle three ramps up to Mizoen, all over 11% and topping out, according to my Strava trace, at just over 13% on the initial pitch. It\u2019s a very sustained 2km of effort, and while it\u2019s very early in the climb to act as a launch ramp if the race is still together, it will reveal very early who has the legs.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">These ramps also mark a distinct change in feel \u2013 from here on in it feels much more Pyrenean than Alpine.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-f9c2939c-85a4-11f1-b39f-73afe1d7019c\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/49nsxeurwVEykyW2FFQEhE-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/49nsxeurwVEykyW2FFQEhE-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/49nsxeurwVEykyW2FFQEhE-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/49nsxeurwVEykyW2FFQEhE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/49nsxeurwVEykyW2FFQEhE-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/49nsxeurwVEykyW2FFQEhE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">The lake at the bottom of the climb <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Will Jones)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-f9c29400-85a4-11f1-a446-3dd2aa99cfdd\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Mizoen and the kilometre beyond it offers the first of two places to get some life back into your legs or, in the case of a race, a prime place to pick up a willing satellite domestique for a tow if the stars align. The end of this relatively flat stretch is marked by a short, sharp descent which slingshots you into another pair of ramps and hairpins, the first of which tops 15% before sending you onwards on a proper full width, two lane road to Clavans-le-Bas.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Mizoen to Clavans-le-Bas is certainly the least interesting part of the ascent. A larger road, surrounded by nondescript woodland that hides what\u2019s to come. From Clavans-le-Bas comes the second, longer section of flat-ish (2-3%) for about a kilometre and a half past grazing cows (at least when I did it) and a very timely <em>eau potable<\/em> sign with a trough to soak my sun-addled head before things really get serious.<\/p>\n<div class=\"inline-gallery inlinegallery inline-layout extended-layout full-width-layout first-slide-only kiosq-b\" data-component-name=\"Elk:Gallery:ImageGallery\" data-inline-gallery data-inline-gallery-progress-template=\"Image {currentSlide} of {totalSlides}\" data-inline-gallery-total-slides=\"3\" id=\"elk-f9c29464-85a4-11f1-98a2-f7cd3f8b05b0\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"inline-gallery__count counts\"><span class=\"slidecount current\" data-inline-gallery-count><br \/>\nImage 1 of 3<br \/>\n<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"inline-gallery__items inlinegallery-wrap\">\n<div class=\"react-swipeable-view-container\" data-inline-gallery-track>\n<div aria-hidden=\"false\" data-swipeable=\"true\" data-inline-gallery-slide-frame data-index=\"0\">\n<div class=\"items__item inlinegallery-item\" data-inline-gallery-slide data-index=\"0\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding inlinegallery-item\" data-index=\"0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit credit\"><br \/>\n(Image credit: Will Jones)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" data-swipeable=\"true\" data-inline-gallery-slide-frame data-index=\"1\">\n<div class=\"items__item inlinegallery-item\" data-inline-gallery-slide data-index=\"1\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding inlinegallery-item\" data-index=\"1\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit credit\"><br \/>\n(Image credit: Will Jones)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" data-swipeable=\"true\" data-inline-gallery-slide-frame data-index=\"2\">\n<div class=\"items__item inlinegallery-item\" data-inline-gallery-slide data-index=\"2\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding inlinegallery-item\" data-index=\"2\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit credit\"><br \/>\n(Image credit: Will Jones)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-images\" data-inline-gallery-expanded hidden>\n<div class=\"expanded-images__items\">\n<div class=\"react-swipeable-view-container\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-track>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__item\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-frame data-index=\"0\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__surroundings show\">\n<div class=\"surroundings__expanded-count\">\nImage 1 of 3\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"view-original__text\">View Original<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__image-wrap\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/7UPxx6PPYPV4f36QPAW3x7-415-80.jpg.webp 415w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__item\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-frame data-index=\"1\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__surroundings show\">\n<div class=\"surroundings__expanded-count\">\nImage 2 of 3\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"view-original__text\">View Original<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__image-wrap\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RoiGFgRBVBpGeKDTC4fdT7-415-80.jpg.webp 415w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__item\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-frame data-index=\"2\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__surroundings show\">\n<div class=\"surroundings__expanded-count\">\nImage 3 of 3\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"view-original__text\">View Original<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__image-wrap\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/bFpvzX7wzEemSssV5jb2v7-415-80.jpg.webp 415w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"the-woodland-zone-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The woodland zone<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-f9c29518-85a4-11f1-be49-15cc559144d7\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">From Clavans-le-Bas to the summit there is no let-up, but the scenery is divided neatly into two parts. The first wends its way through beautiful woodland, with Alpine flowers blooming in every verge. I\u2019m not too proud to admit I was in the box a little bit at this point, and so didn\u2019t take any photos. My one memory, besides thinking \u2018Hell, this is hard work\u2019 is that I imagined the honey from here would be really excellent; I expect I was craving sugar.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The woodland does offer welcome shade before what is quite an exposed final section, but with that comes a stillness and a noticeable increase in humidity, not aided by the numerous roadside streams, which occasionally spill out onto the road.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">From the woodlands and beyond the road surface is markedly terrible. The road is wide enough for a single vehicle, and terribly pockmarked. Patches of fresh, unset bitumen sprinkled with gravel are dotted every few metres, and cause immediate wheel slip out of the saddle, and cause hitchhikers to cling to your tyres. It\u2019s not a descent I would relish, even as someone who usually cherishes Alpine descents. Given the increased focus on rider safety these days, I think if the route had gone down the Sarenne again this year there would have been uproar.<\/p>\n<div class=\"inline-gallery inlinegallery inline-layout extended-layout full-width-layout first-slide-only kiosq-b\" data-component-name=\"Elk:Gallery:ImageGallery\" data-inline-gallery data-inline-gallery-progress-template=\"Image {currentSlide} of {totalSlides}\" data-inline-gallery-total-slides=\"5\" id=\"elk-f9c2957c-85a4-11f1-820f-2de2c9e104b0\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"inline-gallery__count counts\"><span class=\"slidecount current\" data-inline-gallery-count><br \/>\nImage 1 of 5<br \/>\n<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"inline-gallery__items inlinegallery-wrap\">\n<div class=\"react-swipeable-view-container\" data-inline-gallery-track>\n<div aria-hidden=\"false\" data-swipeable=\"true\" data-inline-gallery-slide-frame data-index=\"0\">\n<div class=\"items__item inlinegallery-item\" data-inline-gallery-slide data-index=\"0\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding inlinegallery-item\" data-index=\"0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit credit\"><br \/>\n(Image credit: Will Jones)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" data-swipeable=\"true\" data-inline-gallery-slide-frame data-index=\"1\">\n<div class=\"items__item inlinegallery-item\" data-inline-gallery-slide data-index=\"1\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding inlinegallery-item\" data-index=\"1\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit credit\"><br \/>\n(Image credit: Will Jones)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" data-swipeable=\"true\" data-inline-gallery-slide-frame data-index=\"2\">\n<div class=\"items__item inlinegallery-item\" data-inline-gallery-slide data-index=\"2\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding inlinegallery-item\" data-index=\"2\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit credit\"><br \/>\n(Image credit: Will Jones)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" data-swipeable=\"true\" data-inline-gallery-slide-frame data-index=\"3\">\n<div class=\"items__item inlinegallery-item\" data-inline-gallery-slide data-index=\"3\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding inlinegallery-item\" data-index=\"3\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit credit\"><br \/>\n(Image credit: Will Jones)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" data-swipeable=\"true\" data-inline-gallery-slide-frame data-index=\"4\">\n<div class=\"items__item inlinegallery-item\" data-inline-gallery-slide data-index=\"4\">\n<div class=\"item__image-cont\">\n<div class=\"image-cont__image\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding inlinegallery-item\" data-index=\"4\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"caption-credit__figcaption\"><span class=\"caption-credit__credit credit\"><br \/>\n(Image credit: Will Jones)<br \/>\n<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-images\" data-inline-gallery-expanded hidden>\n<div class=\"expanded-images__items\">\n<div class=\"react-swipeable-view-container\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-track>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__item\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-frame data-index=\"0\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__surroundings show\">\n<div class=\"surroundings__expanded-count\">\nImage 1 of 5\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"view-original__text\">View Original<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__image-wrap\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FHrJYD27kHJtwjTDfS4ECT-415-80.jpg.webp 415w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__item\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-frame data-index=\"1\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__surroundings show\">\n<div class=\"surroundings__expanded-count\">\nImage 2 of 5\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"view-original__text\">View Original<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__image-wrap\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8xN6PJoM4XRyb8AxxQyTFS-415-80.jpg.webp 415w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__item\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-frame data-index=\"2\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__surroundings show\">\n<div class=\"surroundings__expanded-count\">\nImage 3 of 5\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"view-original__text\">View Original<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__image-wrap\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XeLhsid9CGdfJaLoDnisiS-415-80.jpg.webp 415w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__item\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-frame data-index=\"3\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__surroundings show\">\n<div class=\"surroundings__expanded-count\">\nImage 4 of 5\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"view-original__text\">View Original<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__image-wrap\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RUdJ3EiEErAMTCDzaNF4WS-415-80.jpg.webp 415w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__item\" data-inline-gallery-expanded-frame data-index=\"4\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__inner-wrap\">\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__surroundings show\">\n<div class=\"surroundings__expanded-count\">\nImage 5 of 5\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"view-original__text\">View Original<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"expanded-slide__image-wrap\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-2560-80.jpg.webp 2560w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eqN9dW7vUprXnKs7KrufWT-415-80.jpg.webp 415w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"a-giant-boulder-and-the-final-ascent-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A giant boulder and the final ascent <\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-f9c2963a-85a4-11f1-b5c4-45be51a42966\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The problem with the woodland, pretty though it is, is that there is a lot left to the imagination. It feels placid amongst the trees, secluded but not lonely and isolated. If, like me, you have the elevation profile on your computer you\u2019ll be left wondering when things will change. Abruptly, signposted very easily for anyone watching the race on television, the treeline gives way at a stone house perched under a comically large boulder. It\u2019s an obvious metaphor, but from here on in you are the house, and the mountain is the boulder.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The upper slopes of the Sarenne are exposed, oppressive, and considering you\u2019re only a handful of kilometres, as the crow flies, from the relatively large Alpe d\u2019Huez ski resort, they feel extremely isolated. Even compared to the single lane up the Col d\u2019Aspin in the Pyrenees it feels ancient. It doesn\u2019t impose with grandeur in the same way as the upper reaches of the Col de l\u2019Iseran, it\u2019s much prettier than that, but there is the same feel of being totally out of reach.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The main issue, beyond the gradient which never lets up and the surface which is truly awful, is the fact you can now see the top, and the ten hairpins that lie between you and the end. The first six come in quick succession, but the central portion of much longer straights and fewer hairpins is much more mentally challenging. I was glad to have to stop and take photos at this point.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-f9c29694-85a4-11f1-a486-b3accd971ece\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ha5iKy9YrUuxBApiMiUxPe-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ha5iKy9YrUuxBApiMiUxPe-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ha5iKy9YrUuxBApiMiUxPe-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ha5iKy9YrUuxBApiMiUxPe-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ha5iKy9YrUuxBApiMiUxPe-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Ha5iKy9YrUuxBApiMiUxPe-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">The twists and turns up to the top <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Will Jones)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-f9c296f8-85a4-11f1-8a0d-bfe2adad8e5b\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Four kilometres from the top is where the trees give way, and it\u2019s a real grind. From a race perspective anyone who is dropped here will be able to see the race slipping away from them for almost the entirety of the rest of the way, sapping morale still further. The final couple of hairpins are short, steep, and spit you out onto what feels like a false flat for the last few hundred metres to the high point.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Unlike the climb to Alpe d\u2019Huez, which doesn\u2019t seem to finish anywhere but rather diffuses into an ugly resort leaving you without any real sense of achievement, the Sarenne does at least offer a definitive finish point. It\u2019s nondescript, marked with a sign and a modern triangular hut next to some concrete ruins, but it is a finish line nonetheless and extremely welcome.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-f9c29752-85a4-11f1-b480-ef9ab983770c\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kY5b73y2CZxagPvKV4btcm-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kY5b73y2CZxagPvKV4btcm-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kY5b73y2CZxagPvKV4btcm-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kY5b73y2CZxagPvKV4btcm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kY5b73y2CZxagPvKV4btcm-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kY5b73y2CZxagPvKV4btcm-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">The top of the climb <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Will Jones)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-f9c297b6-85a4-11f1-a3ba-ed6afb038288\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">While the peak ends here, the stage does not. Like me, riders then have to descend down the balcony road to Alpe d\u2019Huez before tackling a few final hairpins to a finish line that feels a little manufactured, especially given it will have hosted a finish just 24 hours previously. Logistically it makes sense, but from a drama perspective I\u2019m not so sure. The descent to the resort is beautiful, but far from flat and in dire need of resurfacing, or in some places just surfacing; it\u2019s gravel, in places, and offers a taste of the danger of what descending the Sarenne would be like.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f9c29810-85a4-11f1-ac37-c5f0f371877e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><em><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go! <\/strong><\/em><u><em><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/em><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/cycling-culture\/i-rode-the-col-de-sarenne-to-see-what-the-newest-tour-de-france-climb-is-really-like-heres-whats-in-store-for-the-queen-stage\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ctTKHjxm7C68EgHCvdifue-1920-80.png&#8221;] Cycling Culture I rode the Col de Sarenne to see what the newest Tour de France climb is really like \u2013 Here&#8217;s what&#8217;s in store for the Queen stage Features By Will Jones Published 22 July 2026 Harder, steeper, and substantially more beautiful that Alpe d&#8217;Huez When you purchase through links on [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-2057212","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2057212","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2057212"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2057212\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2057212"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2057212"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2057212"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}