Cycling Challenges
Alpe d'Huez Tour de France 2003
On race day Sunday July 13 2003 we walked up the mountain tracks to bend 6 and a union jack flag was proudly displayed on a prominent rock.
Pete entertained the masses with his accordion and merry making as we waited for the tour to grace our midst.
Numerous excursions were necessary to get yet more and more cold water, because even waiting in this heat was tough.
Finally the sound of the helicopters got louder and louder and anticipation rose to fever pitch and then Brian shouted "its Mayo"
I still do not totally believe what my eyes then witnessed as Iban Mayo rounded the left hand bend and accelerated with such amazing speed it seemed impossible.
A couple of minutes later another memorable moment as I looked into Lance Armstrong's eyes from six feet away. In complete contrast he was really hurting in fact he looked little better than I did two days prior. Yes he was wearing shades but they could not hide the suffering. No way back for the king today.
Soon after David Miller rounded the bend in a creditable twentieth or so place and the Brits roared approval as our man had done us proud.
Half an hour later the peleton arrived (yes half an hour) and they were running on empty with existence only in mind. If Lance looked bad - these boys looked dreadful and I had an immediate bond with how they were feeling.
Today belonged to the Spaniard who literally flew up the mountain and like he later said "its not every day that you get the chance to win on Alpe d'Huez".
The masses people of all nationalities - the atmosphere - the amazing cycling - if only other sporting events could be half this good.
Thanks for the memories !.
ALPE D'HUEZ PAST WINNERS
1952 - Fausto Coppi
1976 - Joop Zoetemelk
1977 - Hennie Kuiper
1978 - Hennie Kuiper
1979 - Joop Zoetemelk
1979 - Joaquim Agostinho*
1981 - Peter Winnen
1982 - Beat Breu
1983 - Peter Winnen
1984 - Luis Herrera
1986 - Bernard Hinault
1987 - Frederico Echave
1988 - Steven Rooks
1989 - Gert-Jan Theunisse
1990 - Gianni Bugno
1991 - Gianni Bugno
1992 - Andy Hampsten
1994 - Roberto Conti
1995 - Marco Pantani
1997 - Marco Pantani
1999 - Guiseppe Guerini
2001 - Lance Armstrong
2003 - Iban Mayo
2004 - Lance Armstrong
* The Tour de France visited Alpe d'Huez on two occasions in 1979
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