{"id":2059464,"date":"2026-07-23T20:58:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T17:58:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2059464"},"modified":"2026-07-23T20:58:09","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T17:58:09","slug":"fight-like-a-lion-and-fly-like-an-eagle-how-carlos-sastres-life-changed-when-he-won-the-tour-de-france-on-lalpe-dhuez","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2059464","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;Fight like a lion and fly like an eagle&#8217; &#8211; How Carlos Sastre&#8217;s life changed when he won the Tour de France on L&#8217;Alpe d&#8217;Huez"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-2560-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 1 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wDPHRbVsahtYH5RtA5dJ7-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5wDPHRbVsahtYH5RtA5dJ7-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-4 h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">1<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    Jonas Vingegaard abandoning the Tour de France doesn&#8217;t just make a fifth Tadej Poga\u010dar victory even more likely, it radically alters how we&#8217;ll perceive it \u2013 Analysis\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 2 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nYxefX9WP8CfbrgFQR4MB-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/nYxefX9WP8CfbrgFQR4MB-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">2<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    As it happened: victory goes to the breakaway in the Alps on stage 18 of the Tour de France\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 3 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uE3fMfenEq6QVQ3TsmzPWF-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/uE3fMfenEq6QVQ3TsmzPWF-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">3<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    &#8216;He\u2019s missing a little bit compared to other Tours&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar observes Jonas Vingegaard&#8217;s weaknesses at Tour de France\n                                <\/p>\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>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;Fight like a lion and fly like an eagle&#8217; &#8211; How Carlos Sastre&#8217;s life changed when he won the Tour de France on L&#8217;Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/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 \/>\nAlasdair Fotheringham <\/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=\"2026-07-23T20:58:09Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n23 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">2008 Tour winner looks back at how it felt to triumph and take the yellow jersey on cycling&#8217;s most emblematic mountain<\/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\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-320-80.jpg.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\">Carlos Sastre&#8217;s victory on l&#8217;Alpe d&#8217;Huez in the 2008 Tour de France propelled him into the yellow jersey over teammate Frank Schleck<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/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\">0<\/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-4f7ea7da-86cc-11f1-9770-e54fc7165dc0\">So far there have been 29 winners on Alpe d&#8217;Huez in the Tour de France, and another name will be added to the list on Friday. But far fewer among that number &#8211; just three in fact since the Alpe was first tackled in 1952 &#8211; can say that when they reached the top of the climb&#8217;s 21 curves, they were also en route to victory in the race overall.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If you ask me how much it means to win on Alpe d&#8217;Huez, there&#8217;s an easy way to explain that,&#8221; says Carlos Sastre, who claimed the outright victory in Paris just 48 hours after he had conquered the climb in the 2008 Tour. Having retired in 2011, Sastre still feels the power of that accomplishment.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-4f7ea7da-86cc-11f1-9770-e54fc7165dc0-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It means that 18 years later, I&#8217;m still getting calls from journalists like you, asking me about it. That tells you how much it matters. And I&#8217;m still getting emotional talking to you about it, too.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand inline-flex items-center\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block h-[18px] w-auto shrink-0 brightness-0 invert\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container>\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] max-h-12 w-auto\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">For Sastre, victory on Alpe d&#8217;Huez arguably marked the high point of his professional career. After dropping the field at the foot of the climb and then riding the whole ascent alone, he also had enough of an advantage at the summit over favourite Cadel Evans to defend his lead in the Tour&#8217;s closing time trial. But as Sastre also says, the memory of the victory on Alpe d&#8217;Huez, more than two minutes ahead of fellow Spaniard Samuel Sanchez, was in itself indelible.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-699ec170-86ce-11f1-a357-615edc8f63bc\" 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\/WzoU6uQYMZuRmNDHRzqBY5-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WzoU6uQYMZuRmNDHRzqBY5-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WzoU6uQYMZuRmNDHRzqBY5-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WzoU6uQYMZuRmNDHRzqBY5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WzoU6uQYMZuRmNDHRzqBY5-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WzoU6uQYMZuRmNDHRzqBY5-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Profile of l&#8217;Alpe d&#8217;Huez <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: ASO)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-699ec1de-86ce-11f1-b0d3-e510a490acfe\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s famous for being a really tough climb, and rightly so. Any really spectacular high mountain achievement in cycling needs a spectacular ascent to happen, and Alpe d&#8217;Huez certainly fits the bill,&#8221; Sastre says.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kogAv54QjVoZVzHbqYaWoQ-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kogAv54QjVoZVzHbqYaWoQ-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#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><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zantGmAoguwfRAJctuWQFa-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zantGmAoguwfRAJctuWQFa-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Club des Cinq: How Anquetil, Merckx, Hinault and Indurain won their fifth Tour de France, and the history that Tadej Poga\u010dar seeks to emulate<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5675Zjt2LPA2r3i4Ga7LX-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5675Zjt2LPA2r3i4Ga7LX-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Without Remco going for the overall, you feel more free&#8217; \u2013 Valentin Paret-Peintre enjoys extra liberty to aim high in the mountains of the Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;And this year obviously it depends on how they tackle it, but on a short, punchy stage like Friday&#8217;s, for sure they&#8217;ll go flat out to the foot of the climb. There&#8217;ll be those who are going for the breakaway, and others who want some GC success, so that kind of distance does help the action.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But what makes it so hard, no matter what happens before, is that Alpe d&#8217;Huez has a very similar kind of gradient all the way up, which means that there are no breaks in the steepness at all.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-ewPjPBYMQzELcdeZiWKFAG\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-ewPjPBYMQzELcdeZiWKFAG slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;On top of that, you reach the climb after a very flat run-in, and then suddenly it kicks up to 13%, 14%. It&#8217;s very unforgiving, and it really benefits the out-and-out climbers because the gradient doesn&#8217;t change.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;They can use that constant steepness both to accelerate hard, and then to open up a gap as well, on any of the non-specialists. It&#8217;s like Alpe d&#8217;Huez was made for mountain climbers to have a real chance.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Sastre first tackled Alpe d&#8217;Huez in the 2001 Tour, and he has ridden up it around 15 times in total, he says. He&#8217;s been up it both in training when the climb is completely deserted, and in the 2004 Tour, when what is believed to be the biggest number of fans ever on the ascent, estimated at around 1.5 million people, lined the route.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WuSBV7Xm5U7KRuDNLpXbg-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WuSBV7Xm5U7KRuDNLpXbg-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Would you give away stages?&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar consumes all on Col du Tourmalet at the Tour de France but does he win too much?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6UVQwoEXi5RjnZGn3ZMMAP-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6UVQwoEXi5RjnZGn3ZMMAP-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">From a crucial TTT to double Alpe d&#8217;Huez \u2013 The key stages that will decide the Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I couldn&#8217;t stop thinking about this stage&#8217; &#8211; non-conformist Richard Carapaz makes the most of his last clear opportunity to seize Tour de France stage victory<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;There&#8217;s a really fantastic atmosphere, that&#8217;s for sure, but I wouldn&#8217;t say it was so different to the Tour in general. These days things are much more widely followed than they used to be, even on the quietest stage.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Of course there are a few idiots who want to get on telly by causing crashes, but the vast majority on the climb are people who just enjoy cycling, who get really emotional when they see the riders go past, and I vividly remember how special it was, too, back in 2004, when we had the mountain time trial there. It&#8217;s something magical.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-699ec242-86ce-11f1-8374-179bc503923d\" 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\/Z4xka6MDxna4VB8wsuRcRo-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z4xka6MDxna4VB8wsuRcRo-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z4xka6MDxna4VB8wsuRcRo-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z4xka6MDxna4VB8wsuRcRo-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z4xka6MDxna4VB8wsuRcRo-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z4xka6MDxna4VB8wsuRcRo-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\">Carlos Sastre in the maillot jaune after winning on l&#8217;Alpe d&#8217;Huez <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-699ec2b0-86ce-11f1-ae96-d1dce3f2e83c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As for the best tactics to get up the climb, Sastre says it depends too much on each rider, and their goals on the day, to give a general rule, but in his own case in 2008 en route to yellow, &#8220;I just went for it, right from the bottom. I knew it was my best chance to win outright and I took it.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I knew I had to get as much time on [key rival] Cadel Evans as possible because there was the time trial afterwards, so I went for it as soon as I could.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I didn&#8217;t use my power meter. I could see the number of kilometres left on my bike computer, but I didn&#8217;t pay any attention to either. I just based it all on energy, experience and my level of motivation to try and win the stage. And to try and win the Tour.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The hardest part, Sastre says, was right at the start, when he attacked but was shadowed by multiple Grand Tour winner Denis Menchov. That was not ideal for either him or the team, but fortunately Menchov made some kind of movement or gesture that Sastre knew was a sign the Russian&#8217;s energy was ebbing, so he attacked him again.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;And that was it. The first four kilometres were very difficult because the guys behind were only 15 seconds further back for quite a while. But finally my effort began to pay off and [team director Bjarne] Riis came up in the team car, and he said, &#8216;Carlitos, you&#8217;ve got them at 30 seconds now&#8217;.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Then it went up to a minute, then it was even more, and that was when I said to myself &#8211; heck, I&#8217;m on my way now. That&#8217;s when being an out-and-out climber turned into a real advantage, and by the summit, I had two minutes on them all.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-699ec30a-86ce-11f1-b810-7fb2210335fa\" 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\/H6EmxrTTGgpbQUKpx8STKG-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H6EmxrTTGgpbQUKpx8STKG-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H6EmxrTTGgpbQUKpx8STKG-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H6EmxrTTGgpbQUKpx8STKG-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H6EmxrTTGgpbQUKpx8STKG-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H6EmxrTTGgpbQUKpx8STKG-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\">Sastre attacking at the foot of the Alpe d&#8217;Huez in 2008 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-699ec36e-86ce-11f1-bc1c-45e7f011ac9b\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It&#8217;s often commented that riders will tick off the 21 hairpins as a way of motivating themselves on Alpe d&#8217;Huez, but Sastre said that he was not doing that at all.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I wasn&#8217;t there to count curves, and I wasn&#8217;t there to count the number of fans on the side of the road, either,&#8221; Sastre said. &#8220;I was just focused 100% on my effort.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;A coach friend of mine had said to me in English before the stage &#8211; &#8216;Today you are going to fight like a lion and fly like an eagle&#8217; &#8211; and that&#8217;s all I was thinking about, to tell you the truth.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I kept that in mind, and I was suffering. But there comes a point when your suffering fuses with your performance. You know it hurts, but at the same time you know you&#8217;re getting more and more time on the riders behind. And that is something that feels like magic.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But that&#8217;s how it has got to be. Every morning of my life as soon as I&#8217;ve got up, it&#8217;s been tough going, and some people might say they&#8217;ve felt great on the bike, but I&#8217;ve suffered even when I&#8217;ve won. So that feeling you get&#8221; &#8211; gaining time on the rivals on a climb &#8211; &#8220;that&#8217;s a real privilege.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As for what Alpe d&#8217;Huez means to him now, Sastre first points to the fact that journalists like <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> are still calling him 18 years on, but then he goes a whole lot deeper on those feelings.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;To me it&#8217;s everything, I&#8217;m still getting emotional talking to you about it. You remember it all your life.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Alpe d&#8217;Huez is one of those epic, emblematic climbs that only a few of us have had the chance to be able to win there. In my case, not just that, but also take the yellow jersey and take it all the way to Paris.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;So for me, Alpe d&#8217;Huez is the place where I&#8217;ve lived through some magical moments. It&#8217;s my magic mountain.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-699ec3d2-86ce-11f1-a172-6723aa72ccf2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><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><u><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-ewPjPBYMQzELcdeZiWKFAG\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-ewPjPBYMQzELcdeZiWKFAG 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\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.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\">Alasdair Fotheringham<\/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>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Alasdair Fotheringham has been reporting on cycling since 1991. He has covered every Tour de France since 1992 bar one, as well as numerous other bike races of all shapes and sizes, ranging from the Olympic Games in 2008 to the now sadly defunct Subida a Urkiola hill climb in Spain. As well as working for <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>, he has also written for <em>The Independent<\/em>,\u00a0 <em>The Guardian<\/em>,\u00a0 <em>ProCycling<\/em>, <em>The Express<\/em> and <em>Reuters<\/em>.<\/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\/zantGmAoguwfRAJctuWQFa-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zantGmAoguwfRAJctuWQFa-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zantGmAoguwfRAJctuWQFa-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zantGmAoguwfRAJctuWQFa-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zantGmAoguwfRAJctuWQFa-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\">Club des Cinq: How Anquetil, Merckx, Hinault and Indurain won their fifth Tour de France, and the history that Tadej Poga\u010dar seeks to emulate<\/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\/5675Zjt2LPA2r3i4Ga7LX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5675Zjt2LPA2r3i4Ga7LX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5675Zjt2LPA2r3i4Ga7LX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5675Zjt2LPA2r3i4Ga7LX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5675Zjt2LPA2r3i4Ga7LX-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\">&#8216;Without Remco going for the overall, you feel more free&#8217; \u2013 Valentin Paret-Peintre enjoys extra liberty to aim high in the mountains of 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\/3WuSBV7Xm5U7KRuDNLpXbg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WuSBV7Xm5U7KRuDNLpXbg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WuSBV7Xm5U7KRuDNLpXbg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WuSBV7Xm5U7KRuDNLpXbg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WuSBV7Xm5U7KRuDNLpXbg-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;Would you give away stages?&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar consumes all on Col du Tourmalet at the Tour de France but does he win too much?<\/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\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-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\">&#8216;I couldn&#8217;t stop thinking about this stage&#8217; &#8211; non-conformist Richard Carapaz makes the most of his last clear opportunity to seize Tour de France stage victory<\/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 Racing<\/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\/RktS6xfeM3cRGVHJ8omGz6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RktS6xfeM3cRGVHJ8omGz6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RktS6xfeM3cRGVHJ8omGz6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RktS6xfeM3cRGVHJ8omGz6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RktS6xfeM3cRGVHJ8omGz6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;New opportunity, a fresh page&#8217; \u2013 Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney chases another Tour de France Femmes victory with team that delivers debuts for B\u00e4ckstedt, Kl\u00f6ser, Niedermaier<\/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\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-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\">Sick soldiers and mixed messages \u2013 What&#8217;s really going on at UAE Team Emirates-XRG and how will it change the last days of 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\/22AVYMshnrPUnFNEML7auh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22AVYMshnrPUnFNEML7auh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22AVYMshnrPUnFNEML7auh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22AVYMshnrPUnFNEML7auh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22AVYMshnrPUnFNEML7auh-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;An injury is holding me back&#8217; &#8211; Florian Vermeersch injury compounds UAE Team Emirates-XRG woes at 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\/pEcRdtDTpvzu4xhtY5WWn8-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pEcRdtDTpvzu4xhtY5WWn8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pEcRdtDTpvzu4xhtY5WWn8-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pEcRdtDTpvzu4xhtY5WWn8-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pEcRdtDTpvzu4xhtY5WWn8-320-80.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;I hope I don&#8217;t crash&#8217; &#8211; Paul Seixas fears huge crowds on L&#8217;Alpe d&#8217;Huez could disrupt 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\/MSKwSyyJJ5t9ifmDVqm7ik-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MSKwSyyJJ5t9ifmDVqm7ik-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MSKwSyyJJ5t9ifmDVqm7ik-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MSKwSyyJJ5t9ifmDVqm7ik-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MSKwSyyJJ5t9ifmDVqm7ik-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\">Heavy traffic closes main road to Alpe d&#8217;Huez early on Thursday ahead of double mountaintop finishes of 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\/mdqopQBsyVu8WSwCgaooQM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mdqopQBsyVu8WSwCgaooQM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mdqopQBsyVu8WSwCgaooQM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mdqopQBsyVu8WSwCgaooQM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mdqopQBsyVu8WSwCgaooQM-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\">&#8216;Big shock to the system&#8217; &#8211; Former WorldTour rider Veronica Ewers resumes slow return to peloton with &#8216;experiment&#8217; at French ProTeam&#8217;s Tour de France Femmes training camp<\/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\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-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\">Sick soldiers and mixed messages \u2013 What&#8217;s really going on at UAE Team Emirates-XRG and how will it change the last days of 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\/MVMyQy4j8kc4GNYaZbNDvN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MVMyQy4j8kc4GNYaZbNDvN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MVMyQy4j8kc4GNYaZbNDvN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MVMyQy4j8kc4GNYaZbNDvN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MVMyQy4j8kc4GNYaZbNDvN-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\">Doping<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">What to know about Tour de France nighttime testing \u2013 The rules, the results timeline, the ITA, reactions and more explained<\/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\/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>\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 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class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;Big shock to the system&#8217; &#8211; Former WorldTour rider Veronica Ewers resumes slow return to peloton with &#8216;experiment&#8217; at French ProTeam&#8217;s Tour de France Femmes training camp<\/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>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;Fight like a lion and fly like an eagle&#8217; &#8211; How Carlos Sastre&#8217;s life changed when he won the Tour de France on L&#8217;Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/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 \/>\nAlasdair Fotheringham <\/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=\"2026-07-23T20:58:09Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n23 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">2008 Tour winner looks back at how it felt to triumph and take the yellow jersey on cycling&#8217;s most emblematic mountain<\/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\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-320-80.jpg.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\">Carlos Sastre&#8217;s victory on l&#8217;Alpe d&#8217;Huez in the 2008 Tour de France propelled him into the yellow jersey over teammate Frank Schleck<\/span><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/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\">0<\/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-4f7ea7da-86cc-11f1-9770-e54fc7165dc0\">So far there have been 29 winners on Alpe d&#8217;Huez in the Tour de France, and another name will be added to the list on Friday. But far fewer among that number &#8211; just three in fact since the Alpe was first tackled in 1952 &#8211; can say that when they reached the top of the climb&#8217;s 21 curves, they were also en route to victory in the race overall.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If you ask me how much it means to win on Alpe d&#8217;Huez, there&#8217;s an easy way to explain that,&#8221; says Carlos Sastre, who claimed the outright victory in Paris just 48 hours after he had conquered the climb in the 2008 Tour. Having retired in 2011, Sastre still feels the power of that accomplishment.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-4f7ea7da-86cc-11f1-9770-e54fc7165dc0-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It means that 18 years later, I&#8217;m still getting calls from journalists like you, asking me about it. That tells you how much it matters. And I&#8217;m still getting emotional talking to you about it, too.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand inline-flex items-center\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block h-[18px] w-auto shrink-0 brightness-0 invert\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container>\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] max-h-12 w-auto\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">For Sastre, victory on Alpe d&#8217;Huez arguably marked the high point of his professional career. After dropping the field at the foot of the climb and then riding the whole ascent alone, he also had enough of an advantage at the summit over favourite Cadel Evans to defend his lead in the Tour&#8217;s closing time trial. But as Sastre also says, the memory of the victory on Alpe d&#8217;Huez, more than two minutes ahead of fellow Spaniard Samuel Sanchez, was in itself indelible.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-699ec170-86ce-11f1-a357-615edc8f63bc\" 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\/WzoU6uQYMZuRmNDHRzqBY5-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WzoU6uQYMZuRmNDHRzqBY5-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WzoU6uQYMZuRmNDHRzqBY5-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WzoU6uQYMZuRmNDHRzqBY5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WzoU6uQYMZuRmNDHRzqBY5-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WzoU6uQYMZuRmNDHRzqBY5-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Profile of l&#8217;Alpe d&#8217;Huez <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: ASO)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-699ec1de-86ce-11f1-b0d3-e510a490acfe\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s famous for being a really tough climb, and rightly so. Any really spectacular high mountain achievement in cycling needs a spectacular ascent to happen, and Alpe d&#8217;Huez certainly fits the bill,&#8221; Sastre says.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kogAv54QjVoZVzHbqYaWoQ-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kogAv54QjVoZVzHbqYaWoQ-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#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><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zantGmAoguwfRAJctuWQFa-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zantGmAoguwfRAJctuWQFa-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Club des Cinq: How Anquetil, Merckx, Hinault and Indurain won their fifth Tour de France, and the history that Tadej Poga\u010dar seeks to emulate<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5675Zjt2LPA2r3i4Ga7LX-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5675Zjt2LPA2r3i4Ga7LX-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Without Remco going for the overall, you feel more free&#8217; \u2013 Valentin Paret-Peintre enjoys extra liberty to aim high in the mountains of the Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;And this year obviously it depends on how they tackle it, but on a short, punchy stage like Friday&#8217;s, for sure they&#8217;ll go flat out to the foot of the climb. There&#8217;ll be those who are going for the breakaway, and others who want some GC success, so that kind of distance does help the action.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But what makes it so hard, no matter what happens before, is that Alpe d&#8217;Huez has a very similar kind of gradient all the way up, which means that there are no breaks in the steepness at all.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-ewPjPBYMQzELcdeZiWKFAG\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-ewPjPBYMQzELcdeZiWKFAG slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;On top of that, you reach the climb after a very flat run-in, and then suddenly it kicks up to 13%, 14%. It&#8217;s very unforgiving, and it really benefits the out-and-out climbers because the gradient doesn&#8217;t change.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;They can use that constant steepness both to accelerate hard, and then to open up a gap as well, on any of the non-specialists. It&#8217;s like Alpe d&#8217;Huez was made for mountain climbers to have a real chance.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Sastre first tackled Alpe d&#8217;Huez in the 2001 Tour, and he has ridden up it around 15 times in total, he says. He&#8217;s been up it both in training when the climb is completely deserted, and in the 2004 Tour, when what is believed to be the biggest number of fans ever on the ascent, estimated at around 1.5 million people, lined the route.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WuSBV7Xm5U7KRuDNLpXbg-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WuSBV7Xm5U7KRuDNLpXbg-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Would you give away stages?&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar consumes all on Col du Tourmalet at the Tour de France but does he win too much?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6UVQwoEXi5RjnZGn3ZMMAP-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6UVQwoEXi5RjnZGn3ZMMAP-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">From a crucial TTT to double Alpe d&#8217;Huez \u2013 The key stages that will decide the Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I couldn&#8217;t stop thinking about this stage&#8217; &#8211; non-conformist Richard Carapaz makes the most of his last clear opportunity to seize Tour de France stage victory<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;There&#8217;s a really fantastic atmosphere, that&#8217;s for sure, but I wouldn&#8217;t say it was so different to the Tour in general. These days things are much more widely followed than they used to be, even on the quietest stage.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Of course there are a few idiots who want to get on telly by causing crashes, but the vast majority on the climb are people who just enjoy cycling, who get really emotional when they see the riders go past, and I vividly remember how special it was, too, back in 2004, when we had the mountain time trial there. It&#8217;s something magical.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-699ec242-86ce-11f1-8374-179bc503923d\" 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\/Z4xka6MDxna4VB8wsuRcRo-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z4xka6MDxna4VB8wsuRcRo-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z4xka6MDxna4VB8wsuRcRo-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z4xka6MDxna4VB8wsuRcRo-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z4xka6MDxna4VB8wsuRcRo-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z4xka6MDxna4VB8wsuRcRo-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\">Carlos Sastre in the maillot jaune after winning on l&#8217;Alpe d&#8217;Huez <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-699ec2b0-86ce-11f1-ae96-d1dce3f2e83c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As for the best tactics to get up the climb, Sastre says it depends too much on each rider, and their goals on the day, to give a general rule, but in his own case in 2008 en route to yellow, &#8220;I just went for it, right from the bottom. I knew it was my best chance to win outright and I took it.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I knew I had to get as much time on [key rival] Cadel Evans as possible because there was the time trial afterwards, so I went for it as soon as I could.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I didn&#8217;t use my power meter. I could see the number of kilometres left on my bike computer, but I didn&#8217;t pay any attention to either. I just based it all on energy, experience and my level of motivation to try and win the stage. And to try and win the Tour.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The hardest part, Sastre says, was right at the start, when he attacked but was shadowed by multiple Grand Tour winner Denis Menchov. That was not ideal for either him or the team, but fortunately Menchov made some kind of movement or gesture that Sastre knew was a sign the Russian&#8217;s energy was ebbing, so he attacked him again.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;And that was it. The first four kilometres were very difficult because the guys behind were only 15 seconds further back for quite a while. But finally my effort began to pay off and [team director Bjarne] Riis came up in the team car, and he said, &#8216;Carlitos, you&#8217;ve got them at 30 seconds now&#8217;.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Then it went up to a minute, then it was even more, and that was when I said to myself &#8211; heck, I&#8217;m on my way now. That&#8217;s when being an out-and-out climber turned into a real advantage, and by the summit, I had two minutes on them all.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-699ec30a-86ce-11f1-b810-7fb2210335fa\" 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\/H6EmxrTTGgpbQUKpx8STKG-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H6EmxrTTGgpbQUKpx8STKG-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H6EmxrTTGgpbQUKpx8STKG-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H6EmxrTTGgpbQUKpx8STKG-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H6EmxrTTGgpbQUKpx8STKG-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H6EmxrTTGgpbQUKpx8STKG-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\">Sastre attacking at the foot of the Alpe d&#8217;Huez in 2008 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-699ec36e-86ce-11f1-bc1c-45e7f011ac9b\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It&#8217;s often commented that riders will tick off the 21 hairpins as a way of motivating themselves on Alpe d&#8217;Huez, but Sastre said that he was not doing that at all.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I wasn&#8217;t there to count curves, and I wasn&#8217;t there to count the number of fans on the side of the road, either,&#8221; Sastre said. &#8220;I was just focused 100% on my effort.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;A coach friend of mine had said to me in English before the stage &#8211; &#8216;Today you are going to fight like a lion and fly like an eagle&#8217; &#8211; and that&#8217;s all I was thinking about, to tell you the truth.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I kept that in mind, and I was suffering. But there comes a point when your suffering fuses with your performance. You know it hurts, but at the same time you know you&#8217;re getting more and more time on the riders behind. And that is something that feels like magic.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But that&#8217;s how it has got to be. Every morning of my life as soon as I&#8217;ve got up, it&#8217;s been tough going, and some people might say they&#8217;ve felt great on the bike, but I&#8217;ve suffered even when I&#8217;ve won. So that feeling you get&#8221; &#8211; gaining time on the rivals on a climb &#8211; &#8220;that&#8217;s a real privilege.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As for what Alpe d&#8217;Huez means to him now, Sastre first points to the fact that journalists like <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> are still calling him 18 years on, but then he goes a whole lot deeper on those feelings.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;To me it&#8217;s everything, I&#8217;m still getting emotional talking to you about it. You remember it all your life.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Alpe d&#8217;Huez is one of those epic, emblematic climbs that only a few of us have had the chance to be able to win there. In my case, not just that, but also take the yellow jersey and take it all the way to Paris.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;So for me, Alpe d&#8217;Huez is the place where I&#8217;ve lived through some magical moments. It&#8217;s my magic mountain.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-699ec3d2-86ce-11f1-a172-6723aa72ccf2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><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><u><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-ewPjPBYMQzELcdeZiWKFAG\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-ewPjPBYMQzELcdeZiWKFAG 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\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5QLhaPay9asJvmaNsCjFVZ.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\">Alasdair Fotheringham<\/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>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Alasdair Fotheringham has been reporting on cycling since 1991. He has covered every Tour de France since 1992 bar one, as well as numerous other bike races of all shapes and sizes, ranging from the Olympic Games in 2008 to the now sadly defunct Subida a Urkiola hill climb in Spain. As well as working for <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>, he has also written for <em>The Independent<\/em>,\u00a0 <em>The Guardian<\/em>,\u00a0 <em>ProCycling<\/em>, <em>The Express<\/em> and <em>Reuters<\/em>.<\/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\/zantGmAoguwfRAJctuWQFa-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zantGmAoguwfRAJctuWQFa-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zantGmAoguwfRAJctuWQFa-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zantGmAoguwfRAJctuWQFa-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zantGmAoguwfRAJctuWQFa-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\">Club des Cinq: How Anquetil, Merckx, Hinault and Indurain won their fifth Tour de France, and the history that Tadej Poga\u010dar seeks to emulate<\/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\/5675Zjt2LPA2r3i4Ga7LX-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5675Zjt2LPA2r3i4Ga7LX-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5675Zjt2LPA2r3i4Ga7LX-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5675Zjt2LPA2r3i4Ga7LX-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5675Zjt2LPA2r3i4Ga7LX-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\">&#8216;Without Remco going for the overall, you feel more free&#8217; \u2013 Valentin Paret-Peintre enjoys extra liberty to aim high in the mountains of 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\/3WuSBV7Xm5U7KRuDNLpXbg-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WuSBV7Xm5U7KRuDNLpXbg-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WuSBV7Xm5U7KRuDNLpXbg-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WuSBV7Xm5U7KRuDNLpXbg-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WuSBV7Xm5U7KRuDNLpXbg-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;Would you give away stages?&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar consumes all on Col du Tourmalet at the Tour de France but does he win too much?<\/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\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-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\">&#8216;I couldn&#8217;t stop thinking about this stage&#8217; &#8211; non-conformist Richard Carapaz makes the most of his last clear opportunity to seize Tour de France stage victory<\/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 Racing<\/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\/RktS6xfeM3cRGVHJ8omGz6-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RktS6xfeM3cRGVHJ8omGz6-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RktS6xfeM3cRGVHJ8omGz6-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RktS6xfeM3cRGVHJ8omGz6-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RktS6xfeM3cRGVHJ8omGz6-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;New opportunity, a fresh page&#8217; \u2013 Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney chases another Tour de France Femmes victory with team that delivers debuts for B\u00e4ckstedt, Kl\u00f6ser, Niedermaier<\/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\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-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\">Sick soldiers and mixed messages \u2013 What&#8217;s really going on at UAE Team Emirates-XRG and how will it change the last days of 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\/22AVYMshnrPUnFNEML7auh-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22AVYMshnrPUnFNEML7auh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22AVYMshnrPUnFNEML7auh-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22AVYMshnrPUnFNEML7auh-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/22AVYMshnrPUnFNEML7auh-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;An injury is holding me back&#8217; &#8211; Florian Vermeersch injury compounds UAE Team Emirates-XRG woes at 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\/pEcRdtDTpvzu4xhtY5WWn8-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pEcRdtDTpvzu4xhtY5WWn8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pEcRdtDTpvzu4xhtY5WWn8-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pEcRdtDTpvzu4xhtY5WWn8-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/pEcRdtDTpvzu4xhtY5WWn8-320-80.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;I hope I don&#8217;t crash&#8217; &#8211; Paul Seixas fears huge crowds on L&#8217;Alpe d&#8217;Huez could disrupt 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\/MSKwSyyJJ5t9ifmDVqm7ik-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MSKwSyyJJ5t9ifmDVqm7ik-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MSKwSyyJJ5t9ifmDVqm7ik-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MSKwSyyJJ5t9ifmDVqm7ik-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MSKwSyyJJ5t9ifmDVqm7ik-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\">Heavy traffic closes main road to Alpe d&#8217;Huez early on Thursday ahead of double mountaintop finishes of 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\/mdqopQBsyVu8WSwCgaooQM-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mdqopQBsyVu8WSwCgaooQM-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mdqopQBsyVu8WSwCgaooQM-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mdqopQBsyVu8WSwCgaooQM-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/mdqopQBsyVu8WSwCgaooQM-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\">&#8216;Big shock to the system&#8217; &#8211; Former WorldTour rider Veronica Ewers resumes slow return to peloton with &#8216;experiment&#8217; at French ProTeam&#8217;s Tour de France Femmes training camp<\/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\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/FTnW7kSsyHmXZYK5VY2goi-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\">Sick soldiers and mixed messages \u2013 What&#8217;s really going on at UAE Team Emirates-XRG and how will it change the last days of 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\/MVMyQy4j8kc4GNYaZbNDvN-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MVMyQy4j8kc4GNYaZbNDvN-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MVMyQy4j8kc4GNYaZbNDvN-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MVMyQy4j8kc4GNYaZbNDvN-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/MVMyQy4j8kc4GNYaZbNDvN-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\">Doping<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">What to know about Tour de France nighttime testing \u2013 The rules, the results timeline, the ITA, reactions and more explained<\/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\/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 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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>\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 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class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;Big shock to the system&#8217; &#8211; Former WorldTour rider Veronica Ewers resumes slow return to peloton with &#8216;experiment&#8217; at French ProTeam&#8217;s Tour de France Femmes training camp<\/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>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRacing\n<\/li>\n<li>\nRoad\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTour de France\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;Fight like a lion and fly like an eagle&#8217; &#8211; How Carlos Sastre&#8217;s life changed when he won the Tour de France on L&#8217;Alpe d&#8217;Huez<\/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 \/>\nAlasdair Fotheringham <\/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=\"2026-07-23T20:58:09Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n23 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">2008 Tour winner looks back at how it felt to triumph and take the yellow jersey on cycling&#8217;s most emblematic mountain<\/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 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But far fewer among that number &#8211; just three in fact since the Alpe was first tackled in 1952 &#8211; can say that when they reached the top of the climb&#8217;s 21 curves, they were also en route to victory in the race overall.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;If you ask me how much it means to win on Alpe d&#8217;Huez, there&#8217;s an easy way to explain that,&#8221; says Carlos Sastre, who claimed the outright victory in Paris just 48 hours after he had conquered the climb in the 2008 Tour. Having retired in 2011, Sastre still feels the power of that accomplishment.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-4f7ea7da-86cc-11f1-9770-e54fc7165dc0-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It means that 18 years later, I&#8217;m still getting calls from journalists like you, asking me about it. That tells you how much it matters. And I&#8217;m still getting emotional talking to you about it, too.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand inline-flex items-center\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block h-[18px] w-auto shrink-0 brightness-0 invert\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container>\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] max-h-12 w-auto\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">For Sastre, victory on Alpe d&#8217;Huez arguably marked the high point of his professional career. After dropping the field at the foot of the climb and then riding the whole ascent alone, he also had enough of an advantage at the summit over favourite Cadel Evans to defend his lead in the Tour&#8217;s closing time trial. But as Sastre also says, the memory of the victory on Alpe d&#8217;Huez, more than two minutes ahead of fellow Spaniard Samuel Sanchez, was in itself indelible.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-699ec170-86ce-11f1-a357-615edc8f63bc\" 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\/WzoU6uQYMZuRmNDHRzqBY5-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WzoU6uQYMZuRmNDHRzqBY5-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WzoU6uQYMZuRmNDHRzqBY5-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WzoU6uQYMZuRmNDHRzqBY5-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WzoU6uQYMZuRmNDHRzqBY5-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/WzoU6uQYMZuRmNDHRzqBY5-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Profile of l&#8217;Alpe d&#8217;Huez <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: ASO)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-699ec1de-86ce-11f1-b0d3-e510a490acfe\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It&#8217;s famous for being a really tough climb, and rightly so. Any really spectacular high mountain achievement in cycling needs a spectacular ascent to happen, and Alpe d&#8217;Huez certainly fits the bill,&#8221; Sastre says.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kogAv54QjVoZVzHbqYaWoQ-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kogAv54QjVoZVzHbqYaWoQ-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#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><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zantGmAoguwfRAJctuWQFa-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/zantGmAoguwfRAJctuWQFa-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">Club des Cinq: How Anquetil, Merckx, Hinault and Indurain won their fifth Tour de France, and the history that Tadej Poga\u010dar seeks to emulate<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5675Zjt2LPA2r3i4Ga7LX-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/5675Zjt2LPA2r3i4Ga7LX-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Without Remco going for the overall, you feel more free&#8217; \u2013 Valentin Paret-Peintre enjoys extra liberty to aim high in the mountains of the Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;And this year obviously it depends on how they tackle it, but on a short, punchy stage like Friday&#8217;s, for sure they&#8217;ll go flat out to the foot of the climb. There&#8217;ll be those who are going for the breakaway, and others who want some GC success, so that kind of distance does help the action.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But what makes it so hard, no matter what happens before, is that Alpe d&#8217;Huez has a very similar kind of gradient all the way up, which means that there are no breaks in the steepness at all.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-ewPjPBYMQzELcdeZiWKFAG\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-ewPjPBYMQzELcdeZiWKFAG slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;On top of that, you reach the climb after a very flat run-in, and then suddenly it kicks up to 13%, 14%. It&#8217;s very unforgiving, and it really benefits the out-and-out climbers because the gradient doesn&#8217;t change.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;They can use that constant steepness both to accelerate hard, and then to open up a gap as well, on any of the non-specialists. It&#8217;s like Alpe d&#8217;Huez was made for mountain climbers to have a real chance.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Sastre first tackled Alpe d&#8217;Huez in the 2001 Tour, and he has ridden up it around 15 times in total, he says. He&#8217;s been up it both in training when the climb is completely deserted, and in the 2004 Tour, when what is believed to be the biggest number of fans ever on the ascent, estimated at around 1.5 million people, lined the route.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WuSBV7Xm5U7KRuDNLpXbg-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3WuSBV7Xm5U7KRuDNLpXbg-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Would you give away stages?&#8217; \u2013 Tadej Poga\u010dar consumes all on Col du Tourmalet at the Tour de France but does he win too much?<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6UVQwoEXi5RjnZGn3ZMMAP-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6UVQwoEXi5RjnZGn3ZMMAP-150-80.png.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">From a crucial TTT to double Alpe d&#8217;Huez \u2013 The key stages that will decide the Tour de France<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/c6VkGigAxGteshHxtBUrrB-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;I couldn&#8217;t stop thinking about this stage&#8217; &#8211; non-conformist Richard Carapaz makes the most of his last clear opportunity to seize Tour de France stage victory<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;There&#8217;s a really fantastic atmosphere, that&#8217;s for sure, but I wouldn&#8217;t say it was so different to the Tour in general. These days things are much more widely followed than they used to be, even on the quietest stage.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Of course there are a few idiots who want to get on telly by causing crashes, but the vast majority on the climb are people who just enjoy cycling, who get really emotional when they see the riders go past, and I vividly remember how special it was, too, back in 2004, when we had the mountain time trial there. It&#8217;s something magical.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-699ec242-86ce-11f1-8374-179bc503923d\" 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\/Z4xka6MDxna4VB8wsuRcRo-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z4xka6MDxna4VB8wsuRcRo-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z4xka6MDxna4VB8wsuRcRo-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z4xka6MDxna4VB8wsuRcRo-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z4xka6MDxna4VB8wsuRcRo-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Z4xka6MDxna4VB8wsuRcRo-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\">Carlos Sastre in the maillot jaune after winning on l&#8217;Alpe d&#8217;Huez <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-699ec2b0-86ce-11f1-ae96-d1dce3f2e83c\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As for the best tactics to get up the climb, Sastre says it depends too much on each rider, and their goals on the day, to give a general rule, but in his own case in 2008 en route to yellow, &#8220;I just went for it, right from the bottom. I knew it was my best chance to win outright and I took it.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I knew I had to get as much time on [key rival] Cadel Evans as possible because there was the time trial afterwards, so I went for it as soon as I could.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I didn&#8217;t use my power meter. I could see the number of kilometres left on my bike computer, but I didn&#8217;t pay any attention to either. I just based it all on energy, experience and my level of motivation to try and win the stage. And to try and win the Tour.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The hardest part, Sastre says, was right at the start, when he attacked but was shadowed by multiple Grand Tour winner Denis Menchov. That was not ideal for either him or the team, but fortunately Menchov made some kind of movement or gesture that Sastre knew was a sign the Russian&#8217;s energy was ebbing, so he attacked him again.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;And that was it. The first four kilometres were very difficult because the guys behind were only 15 seconds further back for quite a while. But finally my effort began to pay off and [team director Bjarne] Riis came up in the team car, and he said, &#8216;Carlitos, you&#8217;ve got them at 30 seconds now&#8217;.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Then it went up to a minute, then it was even more, and that was when I said to myself &#8211; heck, I&#8217;m on my way now. That&#8217;s when being an out-and-out climber turned into a real advantage, and by the summit, I had two minutes on them all.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-699ec30a-86ce-11f1-b810-7fb2210335fa\" 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\/H6EmxrTTGgpbQUKpx8STKG-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H6EmxrTTGgpbQUKpx8STKG-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H6EmxrTTGgpbQUKpx8STKG-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H6EmxrTTGgpbQUKpx8STKG-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H6EmxrTTGgpbQUKpx8STKG-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/H6EmxrTTGgpbQUKpx8STKG-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\">Sastre attacking at the foot of the Alpe d&#8217;Huez in 2008 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-699ec36e-86ce-11f1-bc1c-45e7f011ac9b\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It&#8217;s often commented that riders will tick off the 21 hairpins as a way of motivating themselves on Alpe d&#8217;Huez, but Sastre said that he was not doing that at all.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I wasn&#8217;t there to count curves, and I wasn&#8217;t there to count the number of fans on the side of the road, either,&#8221; Sastre said. &#8220;I was just focused 100% on my effort.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;A coach friend of mine had said to me in English before the stage &#8211; &#8216;Today you are going to fight like a lion and fly like an eagle&#8217; &#8211; and that&#8217;s all I was thinking about, to tell you the truth.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I kept that in mind, and I was suffering. But there comes a point when your suffering fuses with your performance. You know it hurts, but at the same time you know you&#8217;re getting more and more time on the riders behind. And that is something that feels like magic.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;But that&#8217;s how it has got to be. Every morning of my life as soon as I&#8217;ve got up, it&#8217;s been tough going, and some people might say they&#8217;ve felt great on the bike, but I&#8217;ve suffered even when I&#8217;ve won. So that feeling you get&#8221; &#8211; gaining time on the rivals on a climb &#8211; &#8220;that&#8217;s a real privilege.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As for what Alpe d&#8217;Huez means to him now, Sastre first points to the fact that journalists like <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> are still calling him 18 years on, but then he goes a whole lot deeper on those feelings.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;To me it&#8217;s everything, I&#8217;m still getting emotional talking to you about it. You remember it all your life.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Alpe d&#8217;Huez is one of those epic, emblematic climbs that only a few of us have had the chance to be able to win there. In my case, not just that, but also take the yellow jersey and take it all the way to Paris.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;So for me, Alpe d&#8217;Huez is the place where I&#8217;ve lived through some magical moments. It&#8217;s my magic mountain.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-699ec3d2-86ce-11f1-a172-6723aa72ccf2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><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><u><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/racing\/fight-like-a-lion-and-fly-like-an-eagle-how-carlos-sastres-life-changed-when-he-won-the-tour-de-france-on-alpe-dhuez\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-2560-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 Jonas Vingegaard abandoning the Tour de France doesn&#8217;t just make a fifth Tadej Poga\u010dar victory even more likely, it radically alters how we&#8217;ll perceive it \u2013 Analysis 2 As it happened: victory goes to the breakaway in the Alps on stage 18 of the Tour de France 3 &#8216;He\u2019s missing a [&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-2059464","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\/2059464","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=2059464"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2059464\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2059464"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2059464"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2059464"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}