Alpe d’Huez (Tour de France)
Alpe d’Huez (Tour de France)
Ask somebody to name a famous Tour de France climb and many will cite the 21 hairpins of the Alpe d’Huez.
The iconic climb returned to the route this year, after a year’s hiatus, with its last appearance being a double ascent in 2013.
Fausto Coppi was the first man to conquer the ascent at the Tour and it has remained a popular fixture ever since – 13.8km in length, at an average gradient of 8.1 per cent.
Its brutality was proven in 2013 when race leader Chris Froome bonked on the ascent, before team-mate Richie Porte got hold of a gel for him.
At its maximum the gradient is ‘only’ 13 per cent, but the 21 hairpins mean the constant switchbacks demand every last sinew of energy. The climb also invariably comes at the end of a brutal mountain stage.
Key facts
Length: 13.8km
Average gradient: 8.1%
Maximum gradient: 13%