Yesterday, Lance Armstrong again demonstrated his mastery of the competition in the 2004 Tour de France by winning the Stage 16 mountain time trial to Alpe d'Huez. It was not surprising that Armstrong considered the stage dangerous because of the sheer number of fans on the sections of the course that did not have barriers:
It was a little scary. The Pyrenees were exactly the same, so it wasn't necessarily abnormal. But [on Alpe d'Huez] you had longer sections of four and five kilometres with people on the road.
Perhaps the most surprising development was how quickly Tour de France race director Jean-Marie LeBlanc called the venue choice a mistake.
As I said yesterday, my wife and I made the pilgrimmage to Alpe d'Huez in 2001 for Stage 10. There were more people than ever before on the mountain, but I think the crowd was still manageable. We were able to drive up from Grenoble, find a little space on the lower slopes of the mountain, enjoy the Caravane and the race, and return to Grenoble in one long day. That doesn't seem to have been possible this year.
It seems like Alpe d'Huez reached a critical point during last year's Centenary Tour. People seemed to accept the size of the crowd back then as if it would be a one-time inconvenience. However, the crowd grew even larger and more unruly this year, probably because most cycing fans concluded that the mountain time trial could be the Tour's decisive moment. I don't think that continued crowd growth at Alpe d'Huez is in anyone's interest, and the Tour organization should do something to disrupt the momentum.
If I were the Amaury Sports Organization, I would seriously consider not including Alpe d'Huez next year. There are several places where the Tour could have a mountain-top finish in the Alps. One place I'd like to see the Tour return to is Sestriere, Italy. I think the last time the Tour visited there was 1999. Sestriere might have trouble hosting a stage finish next year because they will be preparing to be a venue in the 2006 Winter Olympics.
I don't have any first-hand knowledge of the Tour venues in the Pyrenees, but the crowds looked just as crazy and difficult to control in some places as they did at Alpe d'Huez. I think the rate of growth of the crowds in the Pyrenees may be faster than in the Alps. Greater venue diversity may be a good idea there as well.
Irving Reid
At one point in the coverage, someone was running alongside a rider (I'm pretty sure it was Armstrong) literally *screaming* in the rider's ear from a few inches away. From the facial expressions involved, the topics under discussion were not intended to boost the rider's self-esteem.
During the post-race interview, I noticed a couple of times where Armstrong almost said something about this and then changed his mind and backed off the topic.
Trae McCombs
The fact he held his toungue shows the caliber of a man Armstrong is. He knows that the Race Director and others know what's wrong and I'm guessing by holding his toungue he is silently urging them to do something about it. Perhaps, he'll have his say behind closed doors, but I agree, it seemed completely out of control.
With talk of Terrorist and sabotage these days, I am truly amazed nothing has happened to any of the riders on the tour. I think it would be near impossible to secure a racing event. Anyway... with things like that in the forethought of my mind, it's scary to think what people who have ill will may be thinking or planning.
I for one say control the crowds or pick a better venue.
Trae
fitgeek.org
Dave Aiello
I expect that some people who haven't actually been there will suggest that the race organizers place barriers for the entire 14 kilometer ascent. That's impractical for a number of reasons that go beyond the number of barriers that would be needed.
At the base of Alpe d'Huez, the road shoulder isn't wide enough for barriers to be erected on both sides that would allow spectators to have standing space behind them. In some places, the pavement extends right up to the mountain side on one side of the road.
If barriers encroached on the pavement, it would make the lines that riders would be able to take around the switchbacks even more unfavorable. I haven't ridden the course, but I've stood in the road and thought about how I'd get a bike around the corners with people standing as close to me as possible.
The organizers showed some creativity with the rules this year, coming up with ideas like doubling the mountain points for mountain-top finishes. What they should be thinking about is how to get more of the spectators who are currently going to the finishing climb to head for one of the intermediate climbs instead.
If you saw today's stage, there was an exciting sprint between Gilberto Simoni and Richard Virenque at the top of the Col de la Madeleine for the Souvenir Henri Desgrange and 5000 Euros. Maybe we need more of those.
Trae McCombs
Right,
I guess I should have been more clear but I agree that they do not need, nor could they for reasons you mentioned and others as well, line the whole route with barriers. I do like what I saw today on the course which seemed to be an incresed presence of the french police. Whenever someone got out of hand there was someone there to yank them out of the way and pull them back into the crowd. Maybe this is the way to go?
Of course, common sense and being courteous and staying out of the riders way is much too forward thinking I'm sure. :)
Trae
fitgeek.org
josh
pretty busy out of town at a triathlon this week, just wanted to add a note that i read on a tour blog that a older spectator was found dead on the alpe. he apprently died from a 130feet fall. i can dig up the link if you need it...
Pervez Joarder
My group is as a result shocked to enjoy a book your site. So I’m hunting for best part and even options. It's a decent deliver. At present go here Cash Advance Costa-mesa Compete the best get the job done!
Jimmy8
It would be a one-time burden. In any case, the group became significantly bigger and all the more wild this year, presumably on the grounds that most cycling fans reasoned that the mountain time preliminary could be the Tour's conclusive minute. I don't imagine that proceeded with swarm development at Alpe d'Huez is to anybody's greatest advantage, and the Tour association ought to accomplish something to upset the energy. I fully try to get darwinessay.net review but there will be sound impressive effort done here. This is useful information found here.
Adley
Armstrong can do so many things about help writing research paper that we don't have any idea about and there will be always new thing that we need to get from it. It will last longer if you ask me and it will be good.
chenjinbei
20188.17chenjinbei
superdry clothing
marc jacobs bags
herve leger dresses
air jordan
lebron james jersey
salvatore ferragamo shoes
canada goose outlet
mk purse
links of london
tory burch
ray ban sunglasses outlet
suicoke sandals
michael kors handbags
nhl jerseys
beats wireless
reebok shoes
the north face jackets
supreme paris
air max 95
barcelona jersey
belstaff jackets
michael kors handbags
cheap nfl jerseys
ralph lauren
adidas outlet store
baseball bats
Fußballtrikots günstig
cheap mlb jerseys
tiffany jewelry
under armour outlet
nike running shoes
oakley sunglasses wholesale
christian louboutin shoes
nike roshe run
coach outlet online
omega watches
cheap soccer jerseys
nike sb
adidas jeremy scott
camisetas de fútbol
off-white clothing
nike trainers
audemars piguet watches
nike air max
christian louboutin outlet
pandora jewelry canada
ralph lauren uk
jordan
police sunglasses
vans store
coach outlet online
nike shoes
kate spade
polo outlet
lebron 13
nfl jerseys
lebron 15
tommy hilfiger
rolex watches
ysl makeup
cheap nfl jerseys
pandora charms
lee jeans
philipp plein
coach factory online
dansko shoes
stussy hoodie
longchamp
polo outlet
jordan
nike free
mlb jerseys
manolo blahnik
oakley sunglasses
balenciaga shoes
van cleef & arpels jewelry
swarovski jewelry
christian louboutin
nike outlet store
oakley sunglasses cheap
nike free run
miu miu shoes
puma slides
the north face
kd shoes
adidas superstar
bcbg dresses
philipp plein outlet
versace clothing
prada sunglasses
louboutin
ralph lauren uk
wedding shoes
nike shox
asics running shoes
under armour shoes
ralph lauren
tiffany jewelry
christian louboutin shoes
nike hyperdunk
new balance shoes
montblanc pen
prada handbags
air max
adidas flip flops
mont blanc
coach factory outlet
north face backpacks
kate spade handbags
air jordan
air jordan
marc jacobs handbags
oakley vault
air max
jordan retro
burberry outlet
vans shoes
michael kors uk
jordans
christian louboutin shoes
new balance shoes
adidas uk
bvlgari rings
adidas stan smith
adidas outlet
timberland outlet
burberry outlet store
cheap jordan shoes
mishka clothing
kobe 11
michael kors outlet store
new balance shoes
longchamp handbags
timberland boots
cheap nfl jerseys
pandora charms
lebron soldier 11
supreme clothing
undefeated shoes
dolce and gabbana
mlb jerseys
ralph lauren jeans
ronaldo jersey
ray ban sunglasses
nike factory store
north face jackets
air max 270
adidas ultra boost
polo ralph lauren
vibram shoes
michael kors outlet
canada goose jackets
camisetas de futbol baratas
pandora outlet
hermes belt
air max 90
michael kors purse
michael kors outlet
ナイキ スニーカー
coach outlet online
stephen curry jersey
nike blazer
tory burch shoes
michael kors outlet
air max
michael kors outlet
cheap nfl jerseys
snapback hats
nike free run
adidas nmd
maglie calcio
alexander mcqueen shoes
adidas nmd
cheap oakley sunglasses
jordan shoes
hundreds clothing
coach factory outlet online
yeezy shoes
christian louboutin outlet
cheap michael kors bags
miu miu sunglasses
coach outlet online
kobe shoes
michael kors bags
flip-flops
adidas yeezy
puma shoes
coach outlet sale
nike dunks
pandora uk
longchamp outlet
hermes uk
teva sandals
cheap nhl jerseys
coach factory outlet
breguet watches
flip-flops
ralph lauren
kate spade
red bottom shoes
air jordan 14
ralph lauren outlet
fila
true religion jeans
tory burch handbags
manchester united jersey
ralph lauren uk
pandora charms
timberland boots
ray ban sunglasses
versace sunglasses
michael kors handbags
coach outlet
nike outlet store online
nike blazer
hermes birkin bag
ferragamo shoes
ray ban
giuseppe zanotti shoes
prada outlet online
woolrich jackets
manolo blahnik shoes
russell westbrook shoes
north face outlet
timberland boots
cheap nba jerseys
montblanc fountain pens
nfl jerseys
supreme uk
nfl jerseys
jimmy choo shoes
cheap michael kors bags
nike flip-flops
hermes belt
michael kors taschen
prada
ugg boots on sale
air jordan 8
onitsuka tiger shoes
nfl jerseys wholesale
beats headphones
nobis jackets
nike outlet
coach outlet online
nike outlet store
adidas football boots
air jordan 12
ralph lauren polo
ray ban sunglasses
christian louboutin shoes
ray ban sunglasses
nike kd 8
ralph lauren outlet
pandora charms
lebron soldier 10
stan smith
nike air max
cheap replica watches
nike kd 10
ray ban sunglasses cheap
bottega veneta handbags
air jordan 3
coach outlet
tory burch outlet
lebron soldier 9
celine outlet
hollister outlet
kate spade
oakley sunglasses
oakley sunglasses
cheap ray ban sunglasses
air max 97
nike cortez
fussball trikots
ralph lauren outlet
ralph lauren polo shirts
monster headphones
birkenstock sale
ray ban
persol sunglasses
lebron 15
wholesale nfl jerseys
nike uk
louboutin
versace handbags
ralph lauren outlet
nine west
red bottom shoes
jordan shoes
tods shoes
kate spade outlet
nike air huarache
oakley canada
mcm handbags
adidas yeezy 350
off-white clothing
adidas outlet
coach outlet online
cheap mlb jerseys
adidas slides
air jordan
lululemon
maglie calcio a poco prezzo
nike kyrie 2
converse shoes
converse shoes
coach handbags
nike shoes for men
coach outlet online
nike sb
jordan 6
x-large clothing
kyrie 3
kate spade handbags
tom ford sunglasses
omega watches
nike outlet store
ralph lauren
michael kors
coach outlet store online clearance
coach handbags
cartier jewelry
yeezy 500 blush
nike huarache
russell westbrook jersey
louboutin outlet
coach handbags
timberland outlet
north face jackets
ralph lauren polo
christian dior handbags
wholesale hats
fitflops sale clearance
nike lunarglide
swarovski crystal
cheap nfl jerseys
pandora jewelry canada
vans sneakers
coach outlet store
supreme uk
y-3 shoes
ray ban
cristiano ronaldo jersey
true religion
nike factory store
curry shoes
pelikan pens
pandora jewelry canada
mac cosmetics
cheap oakley sunglasses
true religion
hermes outlet
visconti pens
ray ban sunglasses
tom brady jersey
ray ban sunglasses
air max 1
birkenstock
ralph lauren outlet
adidas wings
harden vol 2
jordan shoes
tiffany jewelry
saucony running shoes
burberry canada
givenchy handbags
air jordan 4
fingerlings
coach factory outlet online
longchamp handbags
longchamp outlet
chaussures christian louboutin
mulberry handbags
nike air force
michael kors outlet
levi's jeans
air jordan 11
coach outlet online
oakley sunglasses
russell wilson jersey
skechers shoes
victoria's secret outlet
mcm bags
air force 1
fitflops outlet
nike basketball shoes
juicy couture outlet
breitling watches
michael kors bags
columbia sportswear
maui jim sunglasses
jordan shoes
linda farrow sunglasses
nike running shoes
cheap rolex watches
maillot de foot
adidas outlet store
supra shoes
ray ban sunglasses
true religion jeans
parajumpers jackets
air jordan 1
balenciaga shoes
air max
balenciaga shoes
hermes bags
tiffany rings
jordan xx9
tag heuer watches
nike epic react
sophia webster
tory burch shoes
oakley sunglasses outlet
michael kors outlet online
saint laurent sunglasses
birkenstock sandals
nike flight bonafide
stuart weitzman shoes
burberry handbags
ysl bags
supreme
cheap soccer jerseys
nicholas kirkwood
yoga pants
scarpe mbt
nike outlet
nike uk
moose knuckles jackets
true religion jeans
harden vol 1
new balance shoes
mbt shoes
air jordan
columbia sportswear
basketball shoes
mac cosmetics
spalding basketball
true religion jeans
air max 2017
coach factory outlet
michael kors outlet
jordan pas cher
paul george shoes
longchamp handbags
nike tn
fitflop sandals
vans shoes
malone souliers shoes
vetements clothing
canada goose sale
kate spade
lebron 14
nike air max
air max plus
nike free
mikimoto jewelry
mac makeup
nike presto
air max 2018
maillot de foot pas cher
flops
designer belts
lebron ambassador 10
fitflops
nike outlet
valentino shoes
coach handbags
soccer jersey
birkenstock
air jordan shoes
coach outlet online
michael kors handbags sale
shoe carnival
nike revolution
nike mercurial vapor
michael kors outlet clearance
ray ban sunglasses
ugg boots
puma fenty sandals
converse
cheap supra shoes
fitflop sandals
pasotti ombrelli
light up shoes
marcelo burlon
pandora charms
converse shoes
soccer jersey
mizuno running shoes
uggs outlet
ralph lauren outlet
nike tennis
ray ban outlet
nike roshe
lululemon outlet
ferragamo belt
swarovski rings
ray ban
longchamp handbags
ralph lauren outlet
air jordan 5
canada goose sale
soccer shirts
prada bags
coach outlet
20188.17chenjinbei
kakakaoo
canada goose outlet
mulberry bags
coach factory outlet
cheap nfl jerseys
nike outlet
moncler outlet
nike sneakers
michael kors outlet
north face jackets
ralph lauren polo
canada goose jackets
fitflop sandals
michael kors outlet
mbt
kate spade sale
coach outlet
polo ralph lauren
polo ralph lauren outlet
mcm bag
kate spade handbags
superdry clothing
converse
pandora jewelry outlet
cheap ugg boots
ugg outlet online
nike huarache shoes
canada goose jackets
huarache shoes
kate spade handbags
pandora charms sale clearance
ralph lauren sale clearance
true religion outlet
kate spade sale
canada goose outlet store
coach factory outlet
coach outlet
moncler jackets
christian louboutin
canada goose jackets
nike outlet
true religion outlet store
canada goose
polo ralph lauren
nike factory outlet
christian louboutin
nike outlet store
polo outlet store
pandora jewelry
vans outlet
adidas superstar
louboutin outlet
kate spade outlet online
michael kors handbags
ray ban sunglasse
uggs outlet
moncler outlet
canada goose outlet online
christian louboutin outlet
ralph lauren outlet online
true religion
nfl jerseys
coach factory outlet
canada goose jackets
kate spade outlet online
coach outlet store online
canada goose sale
pandora charms outlet
kate spade outlet store
nba jersey
michael kors outlet online
kate spade bags
michael kors outlet
christian louboutin outlet
yeezy boost
uggs outlet
michael kors outlet
michael kors outlet
kate spade outlet
michael kors outlet
ugg outlet online clearance
michael kors outlet
coach outlet store online clearance
michael kors handbags
coach factory outlet
michael kors outlet store
jordan shoes
yeezy boost
cheap ugg boots
air max 2017
michael kors outlet
pandora charms
coach factory outlet
christian louboutin
michael kors outlet clearance
michael kors outlet
prada handbags
polo ralph lauren outlet
kate spade handbags
nike outlet
coach factory outlet
chenqiuying20180915dgvfg