The fans’ mountain
The intense heat continues to rise across Europe as 159 hardy souls line up at the start line in Briançon. Four hours, 55 minutes and 24 seconds later in the western Alps, the Alpe finds itself a new champion.
I follow it all, perched on the back of a motorbike, camera in hand, sweat dripping from my brow, bend after 21 bend. Today’s stage is one of those that gets described as ‘for the ages’. It is glorious. But in a twist of fate I’m not here to follow the day’s action but rather to document it through the eyes of the fans that help make it so special.
Playing chicken
It’s early in the day and my trusty moto-pilot Phil and I travel the course . The riders have long ago set off from Briançon, but we are well ahead, winding our way over mountain passes and through the rugged valleys of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes to Alpe d’Huez, the summit finish for today’s stage, returning to the Tour for the first time since 2018. The fans are excited, especially the French – today is Bastille Day so hopes are it. And to get drunk.
