Val Thorens
After yesterday's neutralised stage, the risk of more landslides meant that today's stage was shortened by missing out the climb of the Cormet de Roseland.
But, it still meant taking on the 33km climb to Val Thorens, Europe's highest ski resort at 2,300m.
Simon decided to go to the pre stage festivities and run the risk of not getting to the climb. It half paid off as he met the main man himself, Christophe Prudomme.
So I headed off to take on Val Thorens with the aim to get to the top before the forecast thunderstorms arrived.
On the way up, there were loads of people cycling up the climb, including Francois, a semi pro track rider from Lyon who was doing the climb on his track bike - so no gears or brakes!
It started to get a bit tough after 25km, but buoyed on by the gathering fans I reached the summit two and a half hours after starting.
The weather forecast was right and it started to rain. My plan was to go back a few kilometres to Les Menuires where there was a few places to shelter and I could make a swift getaway back to Alberville.
Unfortunately, the thunderstorm started just before I got there and I managed to lose my sunnies and get absolutely soaked. Still, I found some shelter with a bunch of other people and layered up after the E.Leclerc promotion van handed out loads of polka dot King of the mountains t-shirts.
Luckily it stopped raining after an hour or so and I found a very nice hotel that was showing the stage on a TV in its lounge. I tried to blend in with the other guests (a bit tricky as I was fully lycra'd up) and I thought I'd been rumbled when the manager came up to me and asked if I was waiting for a room. I said no and was just about to make my excuses and leave but he simply said 'perfect' and walked off.
I headed outside just in time to see Nibbles in the lead followed by a few other riders left from the breakaway before the Team Ineos train shot past taking Egan Bernal to glory.
I watched the last few kms on my phone with two very excitable Columbians 🇨🇴 who started hugging everyone in sight when Egan crossed the line.
It was then a long downhill to the bottom of the climb then a very nice valley road back to Alberville and dinner at Grizzly's a bizzare but cool surf diner just round the corner from the hotel.
But, it still meant taking on the 33km climb to Val Thorens, Europe's highest ski resort at 2,300m.
Simon decided to go to the pre stage festivities and run the risk of not getting to the climb. It half paid off as he met the main man himself, Christophe Prudomme.
So I headed off to take on Val Thorens with the aim to get to the top before the forecast thunderstorms arrived.
On the way up, there were loads of people cycling up the climb, including Francois, a semi pro track rider from Lyon who was doing the climb on his track bike - so no gears or brakes!
It started to get a bit tough after 25km, but buoyed on by the gathering fans I reached the summit two and a half hours after starting.
Unfortunately, the thunderstorm started just before I got there and I managed to lose my sunnies and get absolutely soaked. Still, I found some shelter with a bunch of other people and layered up after the E.Leclerc promotion van handed out loads of polka dot King of the mountains t-shirts.
Luckily it stopped raining after an hour or so and I found a very nice hotel that was showing the stage on a TV in its lounge. I tried to blend in with the other guests (a bit tricky as I was fully lycra'd up) and I thought I'd been rumbled when the manager came up to me and asked if I was waiting for a room. I said no and was just about to make my excuses and leave but he simply said 'perfect' and walked off.
I headed outside just in time to see Nibbles in the lead followed by a few other riders left from the breakaway before the Team Ineos train shot past taking Egan Bernal to glory.
I watched the last few kms on my phone with two very excitable Columbians 🇨🇴 who started hugging everyone in sight when Egan crossed the line.
It was then a long downhill to the bottom of the climb then a very nice valley road back to Alberville and dinner at Grizzly's a bizzare but cool surf diner just round the corner from the hotel.
Comments
Post a Comment