{"id":2061383,"date":"2026-07-25T09:55:07","date_gmt":"2026-07-25T06:55:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2061383"},"modified":"2026-07-25T09:55:07","modified_gmt":"2026-07-25T06:55:07","slug":"there-was-no-discussion-i-just-went-pete-kennaugh-the-last-winner-on-alpe-dhuez-via-col-de-sarenne-reflects-on-memorable-day-from-the-team-sky-era","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2061383","title":{"rendered":"&#8216;There was no discussion, I just went&#8217; \u2013 Pete Kennaugh, the last winner on Alpe d&#8217;Huez via Col de Sarenne, reflects on memorable day from the Team Sky era"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UgEGjVMopXw527Qc4VQX76-2560-80.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\/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-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                                    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 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\/F8c8QLuRFWe6XdA8aSzhHJ-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F8c8QLuRFWe6XdA8aSzhHJ-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: Alpe d&#8217;Huez the setting for epic battle between the breakaway and the yellow jersey on stage 19 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\/UzkbXH9rLzCGtt6GyK5fmX-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UzkbXH9rLzCGtt6GyK5fmX-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                                    Tour de France stage 20 LIVE: Kuss and Carapaz battling for the stage win as Seixas is dropped from the yellow jersey group\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>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<li>\nPeter Kennaugh\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;There was no discussion, I just went&#8217; \u2013 Pete Kennaugh, the last winner on Alpe d&#8217;Huez via Col de Sarenne, reflects on memorable day from the Team Sky era<\/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 \/>\nPatrick Fletcher <\/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=\"2026-07-25T09:55:07Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n25 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Manxman relives 2017 Dauphin\u00e9 stage victory as current Tour makes first uphill trip up rarely raced other side of Alpe d&#8217;Huez on queen stage 20<\/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\/UgEGjVMopXw527Qc4VQX76-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UgEGjVMopXw527Qc4VQX76-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UgEGjVMopXw527Qc4VQX76-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UgEGjVMopXw527Qc4VQX76-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UgEGjVMopXw527Qc4VQX76-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UgEGjVMopXw527Qc4VQX76-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UgEGjVMopXw527Qc4VQX76-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UgEGjVMopXw527Qc4VQX76-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UgEGjVMopXw527Qc4VQX76-320-80.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=\"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-f1d8d3de-880c-11f1-b7ba-0f8ffeeaa0de\">&#8220;I think it still counts,&#8221; says Peter Kennaugh. He may not have done it via the mythical 21 hairpin bends, but he is still officially part of the Alpe d\u2019Huez winner\u2019s club, and no one can take that away from him.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It wasn&#8217;t all the way up it, but I&#8217;ll still take it. You&#8217;re finishing up Alpe d\u2019Huez so, yeah, I&#8217;ll take it,&#8221; the Manxman says as we jog his memory of a hot June day back in 2017.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f1d8d3de-880c-11f1-b7ba-0f8ffeeaa0de-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Kennaugh, now a director with XDS Astana, then riding for Team Sky, raised his arms aloft atop one of cycling\u2019s most iconic mountains, winning the queen stage of that year\u2019s Crit\u00e9rium du Dauphin\u00e9 in what was one of the most memorable moments of his career.<\/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\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/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\">What all this has to do with the present day is that today the Tour de France is heading up Alpe d\u2019Huez via the same route on which Kennaugh soared nine years ago. A day after a summit finish via the traditional ascent, the Tour is heading up via the lesser-known back road, which heads over the Col de Sarenne, before dropping down and then back up the last 4km of the usual hike to the Alpe d\u2019Huez ski resort.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Sarenne features very rarely in professional cycling. Given the legend surrounding the traditional ascent, and given the protected status of the local wildlife, there have been precious few visits over the years. The Tour de France went down it in 2013, while that day in the 2017 Dauphin\u00e9 remains the last time a pro bike race has gone over it.<\/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\/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-[#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\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-150-80.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\">&#8216;Only winning is good enough&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel faces unreasonably high Belgian expectations at Tour de France, writes Thomas De Gendt<\/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\/F9aNQKLW9rmhuXWVgxXCsH-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F9aNQKLW9rmhuXWVgxXCsH-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\">Altitude top-ups, recons, and down time \u2013 What are the yellow jersey hopefuls up to ahead of the Tour de France?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It was special,&#8221; Kennaugh says with a smile as he tries to remember the details. &#8220;Yeah, it was one of the best moments of my career.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It all happened on stage 7 of the 2017 Dauphin\u00e9, a 165-kilometre journey from Aoste that started out with a couple of tough climbs in the opening 60km, perfect for a breakaway to form ahead of a long stretch in the valley and then the final haul up towards and over the hors-cat\u00e9gorie Col de Sarenne.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-oUEAsbULyZX2ospZiHVj3m\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-oUEAsbULyZX2ospZiHVj3m 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;I just remember there being no control at the start,&#8221; Kennaugh says. &#8220;There was a group of about 15 riders already away, and I jumped across on one of the climbs, from the bunch.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Kennaugh doesn\u2019t remember most of the names alongside him in that breakaway, but there was one who he\u2019d never forget: &#8220;Swifty. Best mates for years. Raced against each other since we were eight or nine years old.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Ben Swift, to use his full name, was not actually at Team Sky at that time, instead riding the first of a two-season switch to UAE Team Emirates that never really worked out.<\/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\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-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;All the roads will be saturated&#8217; \u2013 Our tips for negotiating Alpe d&#8217;Huez travel chaos to watch double Tour de France stage finishes<\/span><\/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\/Hh4P2ZsrXtmWxqibv8WiZE-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hh4P2ZsrXtmWxqibv8WiZE-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\">Will Tadej Poga\u010dar beat Mark Cavendish&#8217;s Tour de France stage wins record? Crunching the numbers<\/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\/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<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The two of them ended up going away as a duo on the Sarenne, and cresting it together.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We started Sarenne and I think at this point the stage win was already coming from the breakaway, so you just spend the first couple of kilometres sussing out the rest of the break, who&#8217;s looking good, and planning how you&#8217;re going ride it,&#8221; says Kennaugh.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;So I can&#8217;t remember ever pushing on too much on the Col de Sarenne; I always remember following. And I think I might have done one attack towards the top when the break had dwindled a bit, and then I just remember Swifty coming across. People know him as more of a sprinter, but I\u2019ve raced with him all my life and he was just on one of his really good climbing days, basically.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We worked well together to the top of the climb, and it was really special actually, going over the top of there together.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-03532d98-880e-11f1-8c2c-573d269c4c2e\" 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\/Kb6h6D3ziayey5KUnwzHeb-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Kb6h6D3ziayey5KUnwzHeb-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Kb6h6D3ziayey5KUnwzHeb-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Kb6h6D3ziayey5KUnwzHeb-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Kb6h6D3ziayey5KUnwzHeb-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Kb6h6D3ziayey5KUnwzHeb-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Kennaugh and Swift share an embrace atop Alpe d&#8217;Huez <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-2d51d86a-880e-11f1-97a9-af554bc93032\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Not that they necessarily saw it that way in the moment itself.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The friendship was definitely set aside, let&#8217;s put it that way, for the last 10 kilometres,&#8221; Kennaugh says with a grin.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We said almost nothing to each other. We\u2019ve raced against each other and trained with each other and lived with each other throughout our careers, so you know what\u2019s going through the other\u2019s mind. You almost know exactly what they\u2019re going to do, tactically.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The first nationals I won, in 2014, we were away together then as well, and that was a sprint finish into Abergavenny, and he\u2019d beaten me a million times in training. We barely said a word to each other, and it was the same again on the Sarenne.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As soon as they crested the Col de Sarenne, however, the silent truce was called off.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;You have this sort of plateau section over the top, which is quite open and barren, and then the descent starts. He did try and attack me a few times on the descent in and out of the hairpins, but that was it really.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;As soon as we got off there and started the last 4k up to Alpe d\u2019Huez, I just attacked him straight away basically. Although I didn\u2019t drop him on the Sarenne, I was quietly confident. Even if we\u2019d come to the line together, it wouldn\u2019t have been a typical sprint, and then the last bit is only 4km, but it\u2019s still 4km at about 8%.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">13 seconds after Kennaugh had raised his arms, Swift rolled in.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;After the finish line, big hug. I think we both enjoyed the moment for each other. I mean, friends don&#8217;t really come into it when it&#8217;s a racing situation, but then yeah, big hug after the finish and happy days.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"team-sky-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Team Sky<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-f1d8d564-880c-11f1-b2e5-abbee41efa28\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Alpe d\u2019Huez will always be one of the highlights of Pete Kennaugh\u2019s career, but it nevertheless fed into one of the lowlights: his omission from Team Sky\u2019s 2017 Tour de France squad.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Kennaugh had been bounced around between races and training camps in the run-in to that Dauphin\u00e9, but he felt a stage win in the Dauphin\u00e9 at Alpe d\u2019Huez would surely seal his spot for the Tour. Not so. Despite supporting Chris Froome to victory in 2013 and 2015, he was left out for a second year in a row, and a third in total.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;That happened a couple of times; it was like that with Sky,&#8221; Kennaugh says.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;In 2014, again going back to that Nationals, I was flying that year, won the Nationals, didn&#8217;t get selected for the Tour, won Austria, and had a really good end to the season. And it was the same in 2017, obviously, with that stage when I felt like I rode quite well on the Dauphin\u00e9 and I didn\u2019t get selected for the Tour.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Cycling&#8217;s gone even more like that now, but it was already like that, I think, with Sky\u2026 unless you were super consistent from January through to the Tour, they saw it as you could be unreliable, I guess. But so that&#8217;s just how it was.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In light of that, it feels worth asking Kennaugh if him getting in the breakaway and going for the stage win was ever part of the team\u2019s plan for the day, particularly with a certain Chris Froome fighting for the yellow jersey behind.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-03532e24-880e-11f1-b7d4-43b8a46a0649\" 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\/sXL9ZFJet3LMNRZTGbQ5Nk-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sXL9ZFJet3LMNRZTGbQ5Nk-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sXL9ZFJet3LMNRZTGbQ5Nk-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sXL9ZFJet3LMNRZTGbQ5Nk-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sXL9ZFJet3LMNRZTGbQ5Nk-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sXL9ZFJet3LMNRZTGbQ5Nk-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Kennaugh alongside Froome during the Vuelta in 2016 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-03532e88-880e-11f1-9d6a-cd972d7c79b6\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It was never discussed. I just went. I just saw the opportunity and went in it. That&#8217;s all I can remember,&#8221; he says.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I mean, if you win, then there&#8217;s never going to be problems. And anyway, you&#8217;re in the break on a day like that, you can then drop back and help the leader. That happened quite a lot as well. I had to give up a stage win in the Vuelta to drop back and help Froome. And then also my win in the Dauphin\u00e9 on stage 1 in 2015 \u2013 that was never planned either, that was just a spur-of-the-moment, spontaneous attack.\u201d<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With that day sufficiently in the rearview mirror, Kennaugh can speak openly about all this, but there\u2019s also the small matter of him now being on the other side of the fence, sitting in the director\u2019s chair and setting out the plans for each Tour stage with XDS Astana.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;You can plan and advise the riders as much as possible, but I never try to be too strict on what the plan is for the race because we\u2019re just sat in the car at the end of the day,&#8221; he responds, his racing attitude unchanged.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I always say it to them as well: &#8216;You&#8217;re the ones who are on the bikes in the race, so if you feel like something&#8217;s right, and it isn&#8217;t part of the plan, you\u2019ve also got to listen to your gut and go with your instincts&#8217;.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">If they do, they might join Kennaugh in the Alpe d\u2019Huez winners\u2019 club \u2013 via the Col de Sarenne, but it still counts.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f1d8d5d2-880c-11f1-a84f-c3bc01f65057\" 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 class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-oUEAsbULyZX2ospZiHVj3m\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-oUEAsbULyZX2ospZiHVj3m 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\/2QoJgeVtEMbCKNujw2pLoH-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2QoJgeVtEMbCKNujw2pLoH.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2QoJgeVtEMbCKNujw2pLoH.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2QoJgeVtEMbCKNujw2pLoH.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\">Patrick Fletcher<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Deputy Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Patrick is an NCTJ-accredited journalist with a bachelor\u2019s degree in modern languages (French and Spanish) and a decade\u2019s experience in digital sports media, largely within the world of cycling. He re-joined Cyclingnews as Deputy Editor in February 2026, having previously spent eight years on staff between 2015 and 2023. In between, he was Deputy Editor at GCN and spent 18 months working across the sports portfolio at Future before returning to the cycling press pack. Patrick works across Cyclingnews\u2019 wide-ranging output, assisting the Editor in global content strategy, with a particular focus on shaping CN&#8217;s news operation.<\/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\/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\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Only winning is good enough&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel faces unreasonably high Belgian expectations at Tour de France, writes Thomas De Gendt<\/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\/F9aNQKLW9rmhuXWVgxXCsH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F9aNQKLW9rmhuXWVgxXCsH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F9aNQKLW9rmhuXWVgxXCsH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F9aNQKLW9rmhuXWVgxXCsH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F9aNQKLW9rmhuXWVgxXCsH-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\">Altitude top-ups, recons, and down time \u2013 What are the yellow jersey hopefuls up to ahead 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\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;All the roads will be saturated&#8217; \u2013 Our tips for negotiating Alpe d&#8217;Huez travel chaos to watch double Tour de France stage finishes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hh4P2ZsrXtmWxqibv8WiZE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hh4P2ZsrXtmWxqibv8WiZE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hh4P2ZsrXtmWxqibv8WiZE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hh4P2ZsrXtmWxqibv8WiZE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hh4P2ZsrXtmWxqibv8WiZE-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\">Will Tadej Poga\u010dar beat Mark Cavendish&#8217;s Tour de France stage wins record? Crunching the numbers<\/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\/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>\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 Teams &amp; Riders<\/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\/toHyVx44vcpC9Qj6KR8neH-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/toHyVx44vcpC9Qj6KR8neH-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/toHyVx44vcpC9Qj6KR8neH-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/toHyVx44vcpC9Qj6KR8neH-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/toHyVx44vcpC9Qj6KR8neH-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\">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 should have reacted differently&#8217; \u2013 UAE Team Emirates-XRG general manager Mauro Gianetti denies any responsibility for doping affairs in former team<\/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\/Hk6cjqSJPJKRsbYfgkEDzA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hk6cjqSJPJKRsbYfgkEDzA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hk6cjqSJPJKRsbYfgkEDzA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hk6cjqSJPJKRsbYfgkEDzA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hk6cjqSJPJKRsbYfgkEDzA-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\">Ilan Van Wilder crashes out of Tour de France on mountain descent one day from Paris<\/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\/TxNKBKUeydYK6G89H5ZLWL-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TxNKBKUeydYK6G89H5ZLWL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TxNKBKUeydYK6G89H5ZLWL-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TxNKBKUeydYK6G89H5ZLWL-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TxNKBKUeydYK6G89H5ZLWL-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\">Wout van Aert expected to race for the first time since missing out on Tour de France due to elbow injury next Wednesday<\/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\/QUgdZpo4pzsaGTtCwve5ye-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QUgdZpo4pzsaGTtCwve5ye-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QUgdZpo4pzsaGTtCwve5ye-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QUgdZpo4pzsaGTtCwve5ye-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QUgdZpo4pzsaGTtCwve5ye-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\">Unpopular opinion: Alpe d&#8217;Huez is on the limit, and it wasn&#8217;t even the best atmosphere at this 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\/S2mGx58FnQsZuip3eugE3Q-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S2mGx58FnQsZuip3eugE3Q-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S2mGx58FnQsZuip3eugE3Q-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S2mGx58FnQsZuip3eugE3Q-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S2mGx58FnQsZuip3eugE3Q-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;We&#8217;ve kept motivating each other&#8217; &#8211; Isaac del Toro tightens grip on Tour de France podium as UAE Team Emirates bounce back from illness<\/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\/gZ3BzdtJgqHDV9ufFnoUjL-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gZ3BzdtJgqHDV9ufFnoUjL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gZ3BzdtJgqHDV9ufFnoUjL-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gZ3BzdtJgqHDV9ufFnoUjL-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gZ3BzdtJgqHDV9ufFnoUjL-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\">Tadej Poga\u010dar smashes 30-year-old Alpe d&#8217;Huez climbing record set by Marco Pantani<\/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\/QUgdZpo4pzsaGTtCwve5ye-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QUgdZpo4pzsaGTtCwve5ye-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QUgdZpo4pzsaGTtCwve5ye-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QUgdZpo4pzsaGTtCwve5ye-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QUgdZpo4pzsaGTtCwve5ye-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\">Unpopular opinion: Alpe d&#8217;Huez is on the limit, and it wasn&#8217;t even the best atmosphere at this 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\/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\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-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;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<\/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\/6YKztgCxUP3MKzPH5tU736-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6YKztgCxUP3MKzPH5tU736-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6YKztgCxUP3MKzPH5tU736-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6YKztgCxUP3MKzPH5tU736-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6YKztgCxUP3MKzPH5tU736-320-80.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\">An altitude alibi: Does cycling&#8217;s anti-doping system have a major loophole?<\/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>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TPM59pzhFGFHKjf69zXB5X-1280-80.png.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TPM59pzhFGFHKjf69zXB5X-720-80.png.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TPM59pzhFGFHKjf69zXB5X-640-80.png.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TPM59pzhFGFHKjf69zXB5X-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Tour de Pologne Women: Lorena Wiebes storms to back-to-back victories on stage 2<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;I should have reacted differently&#8217; \u2013 UAE Team Emirates-XRG general manager Mauro Gianetti denies any responsibility for doping affairs in former team<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;If we had had older cars, the accident would not have happened&#8217; \u2013 Tour de France organiser defends Alpe d&#8217;Huez crowd control as UAE manager apologises for Rubio car incident<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Ilan Van Wilder crashes out of Tour de France on mountain descent one day from Paris<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Wout van Aert expected to race for the first time since missing out on Tour de France due to elbow injury next Wednesday<\/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>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<li>\nPeter Kennaugh\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;There was no discussion, I just went&#8217; \u2013 Pete Kennaugh, the last winner on Alpe d&#8217;Huez via Col de Sarenne, reflects on memorable day from the Team Sky era<\/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 \/>\nPatrick Fletcher <\/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=\"2026-07-25T09:55:07Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n25 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Manxman relives 2017 Dauphin\u00e9 stage victory as current Tour makes first uphill trip up rarely raced other side of Alpe d&#8217;Huez on queen stage 20<\/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\/UgEGjVMopXw527Qc4VQX76-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UgEGjVMopXw527Qc4VQX76-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UgEGjVMopXw527Qc4VQX76-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UgEGjVMopXw527Qc4VQX76-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UgEGjVMopXw527Qc4VQX76-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UgEGjVMopXw527Qc4VQX76-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UgEGjVMopXw527Qc4VQX76-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UgEGjVMopXw527Qc4VQX76-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UgEGjVMopXw527Qc4VQX76-320-80.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=\"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-f1d8d3de-880c-11f1-b7ba-0f8ffeeaa0de\">&#8220;I think it still counts,&#8221; says Peter Kennaugh. He may not have done it via the mythical 21 hairpin bends, but he is still officially part of the Alpe d\u2019Huez winner\u2019s club, and no one can take that away from him.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It wasn&#8217;t all the way up it, but I&#8217;ll still take it. You&#8217;re finishing up Alpe d\u2019Huez so, yeah, I&#8217;ll take it,&#8221; the Manxman says as we jog his memory of a hot June day back in 2017.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f1d8d3de-880c-11f1-b7ba-0f8ffeeaa0de-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Kennaugh, now a director with XDS Astana, then riding for Team Sky, raised his arms aloft atop one of cycling\u2019s most iconic mountains, winning the queen stage of that year\u2019s Crit\u00e9rium du Dauphin\u00e9 in what was one of the most memorable moments of his career.<\/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\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/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\">What all this has to do with the present day is that today the Tour de France is heading up Alpe d\u2019Huez via the same route on which Kennaugh soared nine years ago. A day after a summit finish via the traditional ascent, the Tour is heading up via the lesser-known back road, which heads over the Col de Sarenne, before dropping down and then back up the last 4km of the usual hike to the Alpe d\u2019Huez ski resort.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Sarenne features very rarely in professional cycling. Given the legend surrounding the traditional ascent, and given the protected status of the local wildlife, there have been precious few visits over the years. The Tour de France went down it in 2013, while that day in the 2017 Dauphin\u00e9 remains the last time a pro bike race has gone over it.<\/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\/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-[#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\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-150-80.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\">&#8216;Only winning is good enough&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel faces unreasonably high Belgian expectations at Tour de France, writes Thomas De Gendt<\/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\/F9aNQKLW9rmhuXWVgxXCsH-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F9aNQKLW9rmhuXWVgxXCsH-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\">Altitude top-ups, recons, and down time \u2013 What are the yellow jersey hopefuls up to ahead of the Tour de France?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It was special,&#8221; Kennaugh says with a smile as he tries to remember the details. &#8220;Yeah, it was one of the best moments of my career.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It all happened on stage 7 of the 2017 Dauphin\u00e9, a 165-kilometre journey from Aoste that started out with a couple of tough climbs in the opening 60km, perfect for a breakaway to form ahead of a long stretch in the valley and then the final haul up towards and over the hors-cat\u00e9gorie Col de Sarenne.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-oUEAsbULyZX2ospZiHVj3m\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-oUEAsbULyZX2ospZiHVj3m 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;I just remember there being no control at the start,&#8221; Kennaugh says. &#8220;There was a group of about 15 riders already away, and I jumped across on one of the climbs, from the bunch.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Kennaugh doesn\u2019t remember most of the names alongside him in that breakaway, but there was one who he\u2019d never forget: &#8220;Swifty. Best mates for years. Raced against each other since we were eight or nine years old.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Ben Swift, to use his full name, was not actually at Team Sky at that time, instead riding the first of a two-season switch to UAE Team Emirates that never really worked out.<\/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\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-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;All the roads will be saturated&#8217; \u2013 Our tips for negotiating Alpe d&#8217;Huez travel chaos to watch double Tour de France stage finishes<\/span><\/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\/Hh4P2ZsrXtmWxqibv8WiZE-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hh4P2ZsrXtmWxqibv8WiZE-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\">Will Tadej Poga\u010dar beat Mark Cavendish&#8217;s Tour de France stage wins record? Crunching the numbers<\/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\/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<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The two of them ended up going away as a duo on the Sarenne, and cresting it together.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We started Sarenne and I think at this point the stage win was already coming from the breakaway, so you just spend the first couple of kilometres sussing out the rest of the break, who&#8217;s looking good, and planning how you&#8217;re going ride it,&#8221; says Kennaugh.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;So I can&#8217;t remember ever pushing on too much on the Col de Sarenne; I always remember following. And I think I might have done one attack towards the top when the break had dwindled a bit, and then I just remember Swifty coming across. People know him as more of a sprinter, but I\u2019ve raced with him all my life and he was just on one of his really good climbing days, basically.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We worked well together to the top of the climb, and it was really special actually, going over the top of there together.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-03532d98-880e-11f1-8c2c-573d269c4c2e\" 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\/Kb6h6D3ziayey5KUnwzHeb-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Kb6h6D3ziayey5KUnwzHeb-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Kb6h6D3ziayey5KUnwzHeb-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Kb6h6D3ziayey5KUnwzHeb-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Kb6h6D3ziayey5KUnwzHeb-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Kb6h6D3ziayey5KUnwzHeb-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Kennaugh and Swift share an embrace atop Alpe d&#8217;Huez <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-2d51d86a-880e-11f1-97a9-af554bc93032\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Not that they necessarily saw it that way in the moment itself.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The friendship was definitely set aside, let&#8217;s put it that way, for the last 10 kilometres,&#8221; Kennaugh says with a grin.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We said almost nothing to each other. We\u2019ve raced against each other and trained with each other and lived with each other throughout our careers, so you know what\u2019s going through the other\u2019s mind. You almost know exactly what they\u2019re going to do, tactically.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The first nationals I won, in 2014, we were away together then as well, and that was a sprint finish into Abergavenny, and he\u2019d beaten me a million times in training. We barely said a word to each other, and it was the same again on the Sarenne.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As soon as they crested the Col de Sarenne, however, the silent truce was called off.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;You have this sort of plateau section over the top, which is quite open and barren, and then the descent starts. He did try and attack me a few times on the descent in and out of the hairpins, but that was it really.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;As soon as we got off there and started the last 4k up to Alpe d\u2019Huez, I just attacked him straight away basically. Although I didn\u2019t drop him on the Sarenne, I was quietly confident. Even if we\u2019d come to the line together, it wouldn\u2019t have been a typical sprint, and then the last bit is only 4km, but it\u2019s still 4km at about 8%.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">13 seconds after Kennaugh had raised his arms, Swift rolled in.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;After the finish line, big hug. I think we both enjoyed the moment for each other. I mean, friends don&#8217;t really come into it when it&#8217;s a racing situation, but then yeah, big hug after the finish and happy days.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"team-sky-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Team Sky<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-f1d8d564-880c-11f1-b2e5-abbee41efa28\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Alpe d\u2019Huez will always be one of the highlights of Pete Kennaugh\u2019s career, but it nevertheless fed into one of the lowlights: his omission from Team Sky\u2019s 2017 Tour de France squad.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Kennaugh had been bounced around between races and training camps in the run-in to that Dauphin\u00e9, but he felt a stage win in the Dauphin\u00e9 at Alpe d\u2019Huez would surely seal his spot for the Tour. Not so. Despite supporting Chris Froome to victory in 2013 and 2015, he was left out for a second year in a row, and a third in total.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;That happened a couple of times; it was like that with Sky,&#8221; Kennaugh says.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;In 2014, again going back to that Nationals, I was flying that year, won the Nationals, didn&#8217;t get selected for the Tour, won Austria, and had a really good end to the season. And it was the same in 2017, obviously, with that stage when I felt like I rode quite well on the Dauphin\u00e9 and I didn\u2019t get selected for the Tour.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Cycling&#8217;s gone even more like that now, but it was already like that, I think, with Sky\u2026 unless you were super consistent from January through to the Tour, they saw it as you could be unreliable, I guess. But so that&#8217;s just how it was.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In light of that, it feels worth asking Kennaugh if him getting in the breakaway and going for the stage win was ever part of the team\u2019s plan for the day, particularly with a certain Chris Froome fighting for the yellow jersey behind.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-03532e24-880e-11f1-b7d4-43b8a46a0649\" 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\/sXL9ZFJet3LMNRZTGbQ5Nk-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sXL9ZFJet3LMNRZTGbQ5Nk-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sXL9ZFJet3LMNRZTGbQ5Nk-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sXL9ZFJet3LMNRZTGbQ5Nk-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sXL9ZFJet3LMNRZTGbQ5Nk-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sXL9ZFJet3LMNRZTGbQ5Nk-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Kennaugh alongside Froome during the Vuelta in 2016 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-03532e88-880e-11f1-9d6a-cd972d7c79b6\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It was never discussed. I just went. I just saw the opportunity and went in it. That&#8217;s all I can remember,&#8221; he says.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I mean, if you win, then there&#8217;s never going to be problems. And anyway, you&#8217;re in the break on a day like that, you can then drop back and help the leader. That happened quite a lot as well. I had to give up a stage win in the Vuelta to drop back and help Froome. And then also my win in the Dauphin\u00e9 on stage 1 in 2015 \u2013 that was never planned either, that was just a spur-of-the-moment, spontaneous attack.\u201d<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With that day sufficiently in the rearview mirror, Kennaugh can speak openly about all this, but there\u2019s also the small matter of him now being on the other side of the fence, sitting in the director\u2019s chair and setting out the plans for each Tour stage with XDS Astana.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;You can plan and advise the riders as much as possible, but I never try to be too strict on what the plan is for the race because we\u2019re just sat in the car at the end of the day,&#8221; he responds, his racing attitude unchanged.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I always say it to them as well: &#8216;You&#8217;re the ones who are on the bikes in the race, so if you feel like something&#8217;s right, and it isn&#8217;t part of the plan, you\u2019ve also got to listen to your gut and go with your instincts&#8217;.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">If they do, they might join Kennaugh in the Alpe d\u2019Huez winners\u2019 club \u2013 via the Col de Sarenne, but it still counts.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f1d8d5d2-880c-11f1-a84f-c3bc01f65057\" 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 class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-oUEAsbULyZX2ospZiHVj3m\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-oUEAsbULyZX2ospZiHVj3m 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\/2QoJgeVtEMbCKNujw2pLoH-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2QoJgeVtEMbCKNujw2pLoH.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2QoJgeVtEMbCKNujw2pLoH.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/2QoJgeVtEMbCKNujw2pLoH.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\">Patrick Fletcher<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Deputy Editor<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Patrick is an NCTJ-accredited journalist with a bachelor\u2019s degree in modern languages (French and Spanish) and a decade\u2019s experience in digital sports media, largely within the world of cycling. He re-joined Cyclingnews as Deputy Editor in February 2026, having previously spent eight years on staff between 2015 and 2023. In between, he was Deputy Editor at GCN and spent 18 months working across the sports portfolio at Future before returning to the cycling press pack. Patrick works across Cyclingnews\u2019 wide-ranging output, assisting the Editor in global content strategy, with a particular focus on shaping CN&#8217;s news operation.<\/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\/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\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Only winning is good enough&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel faces unreasonably high Belgian expectations at Tour de France, writes Thomas De Gendt<\/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\/F9aNQKLW9rmhuXWVgxXCsH-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F9aNQKLW9rmhuXWVgxXCsH-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F9aNQKLW9rmhuXWVgxXCsH-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F9aNQKLW9rmhuXWVgxXCsH-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F9aNQKLW9rmhuXWVgxXCsH-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\">Altitude top-ups, recons, and down time \u2013 What are the yellow jersey hopefuls up to ahead 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\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;All the roads will be saturated&#8217; \u2013 Our tips for negotiating Alpe d&#8217;Huez travel chaos to watch double Tour de France stage finishes<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hh4P2ZsrXtmWxqibv8WiZE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hh4P2ZsrXtmWxqibv8WiZE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hh4P2ZsrXtmWxqibv8WiZE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hh4P2ZsrXtmWxqibv8WiZE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hh4P2ZsrXtmWxqibv8WiZE-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\">Will Tadej Poga\u010dar beat Mark Cavendish&#8217;s Tour de France stage wins record? Crunching the numbers<\/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\/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>\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 Teams &amp; Riders<\/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\/toHyVx44vcpC9Qj6KR8neH-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/toHyVx44vcpC9Qj6KR8neH-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/toHyVx44vcpC9Qj6KR8neH-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/toHyVx44vcpC9Qj6KR8neH-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/toHyVx44vcpC9Qj6KR8neH-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\">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 should have reacted differently&#8217; \u2013 UAE Team Emirates-XRG general manager Mauro Gianetti denies any responsibility for doping affairs in former team<\/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\/Hk6cjqSJPJKRsbYfgkEDzA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hk6cjqSJPJKRsbYfgkEDzA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hk6cjqSJPJKRsbYfgkEDzA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hk6cjqSJPJKRsbYfgkEDzA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hk6cjqSJPJKRsbYfgkEDzA-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\">Ilan Van Wilder crashes out of Tour de France on mountain descent one day from Paris<\/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\/TxNKBKUeydYK6G89H5ZLWL-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TxNKBKUeydYK6G89H5ZLWL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TxNKBKUeydYK6G89H5ZLWL-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TxNKBKUeydYK6G89H5ZLWL-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TxNKBKUeydYK6G89H5ZLWL-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\">Wout van Aert expected to race for the first time since missing out on Tour de France due to elbow injury next Wednesday<\/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\/QUgdZpo4pzsaGTtCwve5ye-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QUgdZpo4pzsaGTtCwve5ye-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QUgdZpo4pzsaGTtCwve5ye-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QUgdZpo4pzsaGTtCwve5ye-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QUgdZpo4pzsaGTtCwve5ye-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\">Unpopular opinion: Alpe d&#8217;Huez is on the limit, and it wasn&#8217;t even the best atmosphere at this 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\/S2mGx58FnQsZuip3eugE3Q-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S2mGx58FnQsZuip3eugE3Q-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S2mGx58FnQsZuip3eugE3Q-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S2mGx58FnQsZuip3eugE3Q-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/S2mGx58FnQsZuip3eugE3Q-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;We&#8217;ve kept motivating each other&#8217; &#8211; Isaac del Toro tightens grip on Tour de France podium as UAE Team Emirates bounce back from illness<\/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\/gZ3BzdtJgqHDV9ufFnoUjL-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gZ3BzdtJgqHDV9ufFnoUjL-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gZ3BzdtJgqHDV9ufFnoUjL-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gZ3BzdtJgqHDV9ufFnoUjL-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/gZ3BzdtJgqHDV9ufFnoUjL-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\">Tadej Poga\u010dar smashes 30-year-old Alpe d&#8217;Huez climbing record set by Marco Pantani<\/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\/QUgdZpo4pzsaGTtCwve5ye-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QUgdZpo4pzsaGTtCwve5ye-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QUgdZpo4pzsaGTtCwve5ye-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QUgdZpo4pzsaGTtCwve5ye-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/QUgdZpo4pzsaGTtCwve5ye-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\">Unpopular opinion: Alpe d&#8217;Huez is on the limit, and it wasn&#8217;t even the best atmosphere at this 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\/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\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/B7HK4DTdVRMFDBew4JGErB-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;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<\/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\/6YKztgCxUP3MKzPH5tU736-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6YKztgCxUP3MKzPH5tU736-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6YKztgCxUP3MKzPH5tU736-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6YKztgCxUP3MKzPH5tU736-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/6YKztgCxUP3MKzPH5tU736-320-80.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\">An altitude alibi: Does cycling&#8217;s anti-doping system have a major loophole?<\/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>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice\">\n<section class=\"popular-box\" data-component-name=\"Slice:PopularBox\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">\nLATEST ARTICLES\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div>\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TPM59pzhFGFHKjf69zXB5X-1280-80.png.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TPM59pzhFGFHKjf69zXB5X-720-80.png.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TPM59pzhFGFHKjf69zXB5X-640-80.png.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/TPM59pzhFGFHKjf69zXB5X-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"99vw\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Tour de Pologne Women: Lorena Wiebes storms to back-to-back victories on stage 2<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;I should have reacted differently&#8217; \u2013 UAE Team Emirates-XRG general manager Mauro Gianetti denies any responsibility for doping affairs in former team<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>&#8216;If we had had older cars, the accident would not have happened&#8217; \u2013 Tour de France organiser defends Alpe d&#8217;Huez crowd control as UAE manager apologises for Rubio car incident<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Ilan Van Wilder crashes out of Tour de France on mountain descent one day from Paris<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">\n<p>Wout van Aert expected to race for the first time since missing out on Tour de France due to elbow injury next Wednesday<\/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>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<li>\nPeter Kennaugh\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>&#8216;There was no discussion, I just went&#8217; \u2013 Pete Kennaugh, the last winner on Alpe d&#8217;Huez via Col de Sarenne, reflects on memorable day from the Team Sky era<\/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 \/>\nPatrick Fletcher <\/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=\"2026-07-25T09:55:07Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n25 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">Manxman relives 2017 Dauphin\u00e9 stage victory as current Tour makes first uphill trip up rarely raced other side of Alpe d&#8217;Huez on queen stage 20<\/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 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-f1d8d3de-880c-11f1-b7ba-0f8ffeeaa0de\">&#8220;I think it still counts,&#8221; says Peter Kennaugh. He may not have done it via the mythical 21 hairpin bends, but he is still officially part of the Alpe d\u2019Huez winner\u2019s club, and no one can take that away from him.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;It wasn&#8217;t all the way up it, but I&#8217;ll still take it. You&#8217;re finishing up Alpe d\u2019Huez so, yeah, I&#8217;ll take it,&#8221; the Manxman says as we jog his memory of a hot June day back in 2017.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f1d8d3de-880c-11f1-b7ba-0f8ffeeaa0de-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Kennaugh, now a director with XDS Astana, then riding for Team Sky, raised his arms aloft atop one of cycling\u2019s most iconic mountains, winning the queen stage of that year\u2019s Crit\u00e9rium du Dauphin\u00e9 in what was one of the most memorable moments of his career.<\/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\">Cyclingnews<\/span><\/span><\/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\">What all this has to do with the present day is that today the Tour de France is heading up Alpe d\u2019Huez via the same route on which Kennaugh soared nine years ago. A day after a summit finish via the traditional ascent, the Tour is heading up via the lesser-known back road, which heads over the Col de Sarenne, before dropping down and then back up the last 4km of the usual hike to the Alpe d\u2019Huez ski resort.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The Sarenne features very rarely in professional cycling. Given the legend surrounding the traditional ascent, and given the protected status of the local wildlife, there have been precious few visits over the years. The Tour de France went down it in 2013, while that day in the 2017 Dauphin\u00e9 remains the last time a pro bike race has gone over it.<\/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\/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-[#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\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-250-80.png.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CZEVvXJSXdg39mQVz8Q7a4-150-80.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\">&#8216;Only winning is good enough&#8217; \u2013 Remco Evenepoel faces unreasonably high Belgian expectations at Tour de France, writes Thomas De Gendt<\/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\/F9aNQKLW9rmhuXWVgxXCsH-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/F9aNQKLW9rmhuXWVgxXCsH-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\">Altitude top-ups, recons, and down time \u2013 What are the yellow jersey hopefuls up to ahead of the Tour de France?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It was special,&#8221; Kennaugh says with a smile as he tries to remember the details. &#8220;Yeah, it was one of the best moments of my career.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">It all happened on stage 7 of the 2017 Dauphin\u00e9, a 165-kilometre journey from Aoste that started out with a couple of tough climbs in the opening 60km, perfect for a breakaway to form ahead of a long stretch in the valley and then the final haul up towards and over the hors-cat\u00e9gorie Col de Sarenne.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-oUEAsbULyZX2ospZiHVj3m\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-oUEAsbULyZX2ospZiHVj3m 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;I just remember there being no control at the start,&#8221; Kennaugh says. &#8220;There was a group of about 15 riders already away, and I jumped across on one of the climbs, from the bunch.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Kennaugh doesn\u2019t remember most of the names alongside him in that breakaway, but there was one who he\u2019d never forget: &#8220;Swifty. Best mates for years. Raced against each other since we were eight or nine years old.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Ben Swift, to use his full name, was not actually at Team Sky at that time, instead riding the first of a two-season switch to UAE Team Emirates that never really worked out.<\/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\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/p8W36EWeWhZ69qiJ5GhPMo-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;All the roads will be saturated&#8217; \u2013 Our tips for negotiating Alpe d&#8217;Huez travel chaos to watch double Tour de France stage finishes<\/span><\/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\/Hh4P2ZsrXtmWxqibv8WiZE-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hh4P2ZsrXtmWxqibv8WiZE-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\">Will Tadej Poga\u010dar beat Mark Cavendish&#8217;s Tour de France stage wins record? Crunching the numbers<\/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\/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<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The two of them ended up going away as a duo on the Sarenne, and cresting it together.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We started Sarenne and I think at this point the stage win was already coming from the breakaway, so you just spend the first couple of kilometres sussing out the rest of the break, who&#8217;s looking good, and planning how you&#8217;re going ride it,&#8221; says Kennaugh.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;So I can&#8217;t remember ever pushing on too much on the Col de Sarenne; I always remember following. And I think I might have done one attack towards the top when the break had dwindled a bit, and then I just remember Swifty coming across. People know him as more of a sprinter, but I\u2019ve raced with him all my life and he was just on one of his really good climbing days, basically.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We worked well together to the top of the climb, and it was really special actually, going over the top of there together.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-03532d98-880e-11f1-8c2c-573d269c4c2e\" 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\/Kb6h6D3ziayey5KUnwzHeb-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Kb6h6D3ziayey5KUnwzHeb-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Kb6h6D3ziayey5KUnwzHeb-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Kb6h6D3ziayey5KUnwzHeb-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Kb6h6D3ziayey5KUnwzHeb-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Kb6h6D3ziayey5KUnwzHeb-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Kennaugh and Swift share an embrace atop Alpe d&#8217;Huez <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-2d51d86a-880e-11f1-97a9-af554bc93032\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Not that they necessarily saw it that way in the moment itself.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The friendship was definitely set aside, let&#8217;s put it that way, for the last 10 kilometres,&#8221; Kennaugh says with a grin.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;We said almost nothing to each other. We\u2019ve raced against each other and trained with each other and lived with each other throughout our careers, so you know what\u2019s going through the other\u2019s mind. You almost know exactly what they\u2019re going to do, tactically.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The first nationals I won, in 2014, we were away together then as well, and that was a sprint finish into Abergavenny, and he\u2019d beaten me a million times in training. We barely said a word to each other, and it was the same again on the Sarenne.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">As soon as they crested the Col de Sarenne, however, the silent truce was called off.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;You have this sort of plateau section over the top, which is quite open and barren, and then the descent starts. He did try and attack me a few times on the descent in and out of the hairpins, but that was it really.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;As soon as we got off there and started the last 4k up to Alpe d\u2019Huez, I just attacked him straight away basically. Although I didn\u2019t drop him on the Sarenne, I was quietly confident. Even if we\u2019d come to the line together, it wouldn\u2019t have been a typical sprint, and then the last bit is only 4km, but it\u2019s still 4km at about 8%.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">13 seconds after Kennaugh had raised his arms, Swift rolled in.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;After the finish line, big hug. I think we both enjoyed the moment for each other. I mean, friends don&#8217;t really come into it when it&#8217;s a racing situation, but then yeah, big hug after the finish and happy days.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"team-sky-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Team Sky<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-f1d8d564-880c-11f1-b2e5-abbee41efa28\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Alpe d\u2019Huez will always be one of the highlights of Pete Kennaugh\u2019s career, but it nevertheless fed into one of the lowlights: his omission from Team Sky\u2019s 2017 Tour de France squad.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Kennaugh had been bounced around between races and training camps in the run-in to that Dauphin\u00e9, but he felt a stage win in the Dauphin\u00e9 at Alpe d\u2019Huez would surely seal his spot for the Tour. Not so. Despite supporting Chris Froome to victory in 2013 and 2015, he was left out for a second year in a row, and a third in total.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;That happened a couple of times; it was like that with Sky,&#8221; Kennaugh says.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;In 2014, again going back to that Nationals, I was flying that year, won the Nationals, didn&#8217;t get selected for the Tour, won Austria, and had a really good end to the season. And it was the same in 2017, obviously, with that stage when I felt like I rode quite well on the Dauphin\u00e9 and I didn\u2019t get selected for the Tour.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Cycling&#8217;s gone even more like that now, but it was already like that, I think, with Sky\u2026 unless you were super consistent from January through to the Tour, they saw it as you could be unreliable, I guess. But so that&#8217;s just how it was.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">In light of that, it feels worth asking Kennaugh if him getting in the breakaway and going for the stage win was ever part of the team\u2019s plan for the day, particularly with a certain Chris Froome fighting for the yellow jersey behind.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-03532e24-880e-11f1-b7d4-43b8a46a0649\" 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\/sXL9ZFJet3LMNRZTGbQ5Nk-1200-80.png.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sXL9ZFJet3LMNRZTGbQ5Nk-1024-80.png.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sXL9ZFJet3LMNRZTGbQ5Nk-970-80.png.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sXL9ZFJet3LMNRZTGbQ5Nk-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sXL9ZFJet3LMNRZTGbQ5Nk-480-80.png.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/sXL9ZFJet3LMNRZTGbQ5Nk-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"caption-text\">Kennaugh alongside Froome during the Vuelta in 2016 <\/span><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-03532e88-880e-11f1-9d6a-cd972d7c79b6\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It was never discussed. I just went. I just saw the opportunity and went in it. That&#8217;s all I can remember,&#8221; he says.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I mean, if you win, then there&#8217;s never going to be problems. And anyway, you&#8217;re in the break on a day like that, you can then drop back and help the leader. That happened quite a lot as well. I had to give up a stage win in the Vuelta to drop back and help Froome. And then also my win in the Dauphin\u00e9 on stage 1 in 2015 \u2013 that was never planned either, that was just a spur-of-the-moment, spontaneous attack.\u201d<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">With that day sufficiently in the rearview mirror, Kennaugh can speak openly about all this, but there\u2019s also the small matter of him now being on the other side of the fence, sitting in the director\u2019s chair and setting out the plans for each Tour stage with XDS Astana.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;You can plan and advise the riders as much as possible, but I never try to be too strict on what the plan is for the race because we\u2019re just sat in the car at the end of the day,&#8221; he responds, his racing attitude unchanged.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;I always say it to them as well: &#8216;You&#8217;re the ones who are on the bikes in the race, so if you feel like something&#8217;s right, and it isn&#8217;t part of the plan, you\u2019ve also got to listen to your gut and go with your instincts&#8217;.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">If they do, they might join Kennaugh in the Alpe d\u2019Huez winners\u2019 club \u2013 via the Col de Sarenne, but it still counts.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-f1d8d5d2-880c-11f1-a84f-c3bc01f65057\" 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\/teams-riders\/there-was-no-discussion-i-just-went-pete-kennaugh-the-last-winner-on-alpe-dhuez-via-col-de-sarenne-reflects-on-memorable-day-from-the-team-sky-era\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UgEGjVMopXw527Qc4VQX76-2560-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 As it happened: victory goes to the breakaway in the Alps on stage 18 of the Tour de France 2 As it happened: Alpe d&#8217;Huez the setting for epic battle between the breakaway and the yellow jersey on stage 19 of the Tour de France 3 Tour de France stage 20 [&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-2061383","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\/2061383","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=2061383"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2061383\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2061383"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2061383"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2061383"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}