Pogacar’s Dominance on Alpe d’Huez
Tadej Pogacar secured a significant victory on the Alpe d’Huez stage of the Tour de France, extending his overall lead by more than seven minutes. His climbing time of 35 minutes and 26 seconds reportedly surpassed Marco Pantani’s 1997 record by over a minute. Pogacar expressed satisfaction with breaking the record, stating he aimed for a good race and a win.
Despite reports of illness within his UAE Emirates XRG team, Pogacar appeared in good health as he ascended the 13.8-kilometer climb, which features 21 hairpin bends. His sports director, Matxin Fernández, was visibly emotional following the performance. Pogacar noted that the win held significant meaning for the team and highlighted their strong team spirit.
Pogacar’s decisive acceleration occurred 12 kilometers from the summit, leaving rivals behind. He then joined forces with teammate Adam Yates before pushing ahead alone with 10 kilometers remaining. This victory marks his fifth stage win in 19 stages of the current Tour, with another mountain stage still to come.
Crowd Chaos and Rider Safety Concerns
The Alpe d’Huez stage drew an estimated 500,000 to 600,000 spectators, with some arriving more than a week in advance. The sheer volume of fans created a chaotic atmosphere, described by some as wilder than usual. French police closed car traffic to the mountain over 24 hours before the race, leading many fans to arrive on foot or by bike.
The dense crowds, while contributing to the legendary atmosphere, also led to safety incidents. Approximately six kilometers from the finish, a fan reportedly fell in front of the UAE team car, causing it to brake suddenly. This incident resulted in Einer Rubio colliding with the car, sustaining injuries that led to his abandonment from the race with 20 stitches in his face.
Other riders also voiced concerns. Remco Evenepoel, who remains in second place overall, reported that his attacks were hindered by race motorbike traffic navigating through the throngs of fans. Pascal Ackermann described an incident where a spectator nearly pushed him off his bike. Movistar veteran Nélson Oliveira noted that this year’s crowds were significantly larger than in previous years and expressed that the situation was not truly safe.
The challenges extended beyond spectators, with riders encountering issues with cars that were unable to pass, causing delays. Some in the peloton suggested that barriers should be installed along the entirety of the Alpe d’Huez climb to ensure rider safety and allow for a proper race, though this solution is not universally supported among the bunch. Marc Reef, sports director for Visma-Lease a Bike, emphasized that the current situation cannot continue for the sport’s integrity.
The Alpe d’Huez climb, known for its 8.1 percent grade over 13.8 kilometers, is considered one of cycling’s most legendary and chaotic arenas. The Tour de France organizers made the pilgrimage more appealing this year by featuring Stage 19 on the main path and Stage 20 on the Col de Sarenne, with riders finishing on the final four kilometers of the traditional Alpe.
The atmosphere on the mountain is often described as a festival, with fans celebrating both prominent riders like Paul Seixas and lesser-known figures such as Frits Biesterbos, Liam Slock, and Brent Van Moer. One fan, Maximilian Überschall, even created an EDM tribute song for Austrian rider Felix Gall, despite Gall not participating in this year’s Tour.
The logistical challenges for fans, including sleeping in cars on the mountain, highlight the dedication required to experience the event. The experience is often compared to a major music festival, with the race providing a brief but intense moment of action. After the finish, the primary question among many fans was who had won the stage.
Source: defector.com