Alpe D'Huez The Legend

In 1952, Fausto Coppi, the 'Campionis-simo', christened the climb of Alpe d'Huez with a fantastic demonstration of riding. In 2001, almost 50 years later and the 22nd time the Tour visited the mountain, another great champion, the American Lance Armstrong, left all of his rivals behind him to take victory on the Alpe. Within the space of half a century, the stage to Alpe d'Huez has become something very special - for riders and public alike. Like an unruly guard of honour, great crowds line the route of the 13 kilometres and 21 hairpin bends of the climb. It's always a very special day. The Tour takes over the mountain, becoming somewhat of a Dutch colony. The road is transformed into a wall of graffiti on which the giants of the road write history. Everything combines to create the legend that is Alpe d'Huez. Book jacket.Ejnes, Gerard is the author of 'Alpe D'Huez The Legend' with ISBN 9781931382373 and ISBN 1931382379.