Alpe d'Huez

In a slightly odd way round we’ll cover any other business before the bog news of the day. So, rumour has it that there are plans afoot to introduce a “right to roam” in Wales. This would be superb news as it would open up all sorts of areas for mountain bikers .

In case it had slipped your notice the Tour de France hit the biggest stage of the race as the riders went into the High Alps and raced up the Alpe d’Huez twice. It was a dramatic stage with crazy crowds that came close (but luckily not too close) to influencing the race as they got mixed up with the riders. Attacks went out hard form the start with everyone looking for an advantage. for a moment Froome looked like he might be isolated again, but strong riding from his team put him back with support as the big climbers gave it a go off the front.

The fans clearly had a really motivating influence on the riders:

2x Alpe-d'Huez meant 2x the crowd atmosphere. AMAZING. So much British/Manx support. Even the Dutch fans were (mostly) nice to me!!

— Mark Cavendish (@MarkCavendish) July 18, 2013

Seems most of the Netherlands have got over the crash that Cav was involved in earlier, or were too drunk to care any more.

It was good to have so many people following Rule 4 of my safety advice. Felt like I was cheered the whole way up the Alpe. Thank you.

— David Millar (@millarmind) July 18, 2013

Geraint Thomas, understandably, appreciated it as well, but would have preferred people to keep off his fractured pelvis.

Well that was insane!! Thanks for the support. However, please DON'T push me on my lower back!!! #painful

— Geraint Thomas (@GeraintThomas86) July 18, 2013

It was the first real time we’ve seen Froome struggle in the hills and a cynic might argue that it was the perfect time, as Sky had released his power data to L’Equipe in an effort to silence the contingent who insist that drugs must be a part of his power. At times he looked severely under pressure but still managed to launch attacks and certainly was mixing it with the challengers.

It was maybe a day for the riders who have been keeping a low profile in the race (although not by design) and Voekler had a go at an attack for French glory, until he cracked on the slopes of the Alpe d’Huez. More significantly Tejay van Garderen put in an effort that nearly made it to the end, and then Riblon and Quintana went off hunting as well. Of all of these Quintana was best placed to threaten Froome and for the first time he managed to put a gap between himself and the yellow jersey.

There was controversy across the whole race as a question mark was raised over Contador changing bikes as soon as a surprise UCI check for weight was announced and Froome was docked 20 seconds as he received gels that Porte got from the team car on the final climb, where taking on extra food was prohibited.

Riblon overhauled Van Garderen to take a win, France’s first this year, and Froome held on to lose some time to Quintana (who now moves up to third), but retains over a 5minute lead on the race.

The race ends on Sunday and I'll bring you full details next week.

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