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Gallery: Wild scenes as the Tour visits the legendary Alpe d’Huez

Gallery: Wild scenes as the Tour visits the legendary Alpe d’Huez

Alpe d’Huez. It’s probably the most iconic climb in all of world cycling. A touch under 14 km from bottom to top with 21 hairpins, and, invariably at the Tour, an absolute sea of humanity packed onto the roadside.

In one sense it was uncomfortable to see so many people in such close proximity on stage 12 – and in such close proximity to the riders – what with COVID still being a lingering threat and everything. But on the other hand, it’s always a delight to see fans flock to the Alpe in such huge numbers, transforming the climb into one of the greatest arenas in world sport, not just in cycling.

Without further ado, here are a bunch of images from the 2022 Tour’s visit to Alpe d’Huez, courtesy of the Grubers (Jered and Ashley) and the Getty Images photo agency.

It’s one of the great Tour de France traditions: hiring a campervan then parking on the roadside in the Alps or Pyrenees (often several days ahead) to watch the race come past.
This is also a way you could visit the Tour.
It was a hot day in the Alps for stage 12, prompting many fans to go in search of water. Big fan of the fishnets.
Chris Froome wasn’t wearing fishnets (as far as we can tell), but he was interested in getting some water. He was in the breakaway on what would be his best day’s racing since his horrendous crash in mid 2019.
Before we take you to Alpe d’Huez, let’s take a moment to enjoy some of the amazing vistas on tap on stage 12.
I mean, just look at it.
Not ugly.
Alright, back to the Alpe where Tom Pidcock was attacking from the breakaway and riding away to a remarkable solo victory … and being showered with what he’ll be hoping was just beer.
Louis Meintjes trailed Pidcock on his way to second on the stage.
Froome delighted many fans with a resurgent ride from the break …
… and ultimately took third on the stage. It was a very welcome return to the top of the sport for the four-time Tour champ.
Neilson Powless was also in the break and finished fourth on the day.
As if the super-close fans weren’t enough, the riders had to put up with flare smoke as well.
There are riders in there somewhere.
And also in there.
Sepp Kuss was terrific as last man for overall leader Jonas Vingegaard. In fact, the whole Jumbo-Visma team was imperious yet again.
Speaking of which. After shredding the peloton on the lower slopes of Alpe d’Huez, Wout van Aert could enjoy his ride to the summit. The bloke can ride a bike.
In his debut Tour de France, Pidcock was simply brilliant. His descending during the stage was out of this world …
… and to win on Alpe d’Huez in your first tilt at the Tour? Extraordinary.
As promised, Tadej Pogačar and his tufts went on the attack in the closing kilometres. The defending champ was marked by Vingegaard and some of his mates.
The pair were clearly the strongest climbers in the GC group …
… but nothing would separate them at day’s end.
Back now to the heaving throng further down the hill …
… as the rest of the bunch made their way to the finish.
You wouldn’t want to be claustrophobic … or particularly concerned about getting COVID for that matter.
Ah, roadside barriers.
It wasn’t just the riders that needed a rest after a big day in the sun.
Caleb Ewan was one of the last riders across the finish line, nearly 40 minutes behind Pidcock. He’ll be desperate for a win on stage 13.
Likewise Fabio Jakobsen who was second-to-last rider across the finish, just inside the time cut.
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