The Tour had not passed through Alpe-d’Huez since 2018 and it felt on the slopes of the famous alpine resort and its 21 bends which lead to paradise. The wait generated an extraordinary atmosphere. In 2018, the latter had been disappointing. The organizers had decided to curb the crowd a little in the bends where some overflows had been observed before. But their filtration system had proven to be too rigorous. And from memory of followers, the climb of the Alpe 2018 had been dull on the edges of the road.
But this time, we can say that Alpe d’Huez has once again become that open-air stadium where certain bends look like football stadium kops. At the very beginning of the afternoon, the spectators still arrived by the hundreds on foot, camping chairs and bags of food in hand. Due to the crazy crowds, the climb was left open until after 2 p.m. when it was scheduled to close at 10 a.m. If the first bends, numbered 21 to 1 in the direction of the climb, seem very calm, everything thickens a few hectometres higher.
At each bend its folklore
At the turn of turn 16, Englishmen disguised as soldiers of his majesty lead the rest of the public in a jerky dance against a backdrop of techno music. Even higher, if cyclists sweat while climbing the slopes, other more alcoholic liquids go down their throats. Or rather, have been down for a long time. The ruddy faces and not only because of the sun start bawdy songs while the sound systems spit Patrick Sébastien.
When turning in some bends, it is impossible to shift into second gear. The closed windows make it possible to prevent jets of liquid of any kind coming from a cup from entering the passenger compartment. Unlike the other climbs of the great passes on the Tour where the spectators are of all ages, the climb of Alpe d’Huez seems reserved for the youngest. It can sometimes be confused with a nightclub. But the foam party is rather launched with that of the beer. Finally comes turn 7, long called the Dutch turn. And we only see orange squeezed with alcohol and passion. And it is not the performance of the Dutch formation Jumbo-Visma, with its takeover of the yellow jersey, the day before which will calm the spirits. Beer in hand, cries less and less articulated, the Oranje bellow, without aggressiveness.
At turn 5, like a counter-evening, the Danes and the Norwegians regrouped. The blood alcohol level seems lower. But you wouldn’t swear it’s zero.
Some take advantage of the climb to send personal messages. Like this young woman from Isère who painted a birthday message for her lover who is driving a follower’s car on the Tour. She also put on a T-shirt where the name of her man is displayed. Alcohol, Love, Affluence. The Montée de l’Alpe was well worth a triple A this Thursday.