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- July
22nd -
We recommend arriving
relatively early as the climb will be very busy with people still
trying to park or make their way to the top.
Our hotel for the next 2
evenings is located in Alpe d'huez itself and we'll be sharing with
one of the teams on the evening of the 23rd. The team should be CSC
which mean that we'll be lodging in the same hotel as Julich, O'Grady,
Schleck, Cancellara and the like!
Being on site is a great
advantage as the atmosphere all along the climb and in the resort can
simply not be found anywhere else.
The hotel itself is one of
the nicest in the resort and one that we use every time we visit Alpe
d'Huez.
- July 23rd -
What a day this promises to be!
Today's stage will finish with the climb to
Alpe d'Huez, which is most likely the world's most famous cycling
climb. A win on Alpe d'Huez is every cyclist's dream. in addition this
is the final "high mountain" stage of the 2008 Tour and two other
monuments of cycling - col du Galibier and col de la Croix de Fer -
are also featured today. You will be in Alpe d'Huez
to witness history in the making.
Given the hotel's location
you will be able to see the entire village being setup to host the
stage arrival before making your way to our
private Chalet located on switchback #2 (second to last
switchback). The views from this location are second to none anywhere
on the climb to Alpe d'Huez. You will be able to see from the Village
of Huez up to our location and enjoy a BBQ lunch with beverages
throughout the afternoon.
The Publicity Caravane will
go by our Chalet about one hour before the first riders contending for
the win do the same!
As mentioned, the evening
will be spent in the same hotel as one of the teams!
- July 24th -
The Tour
de France exits the Alps today. It does so, leaving from Bourg
d'Oisans which is conveniently located at the base of the climb to
Alpe d'Huez.
A stop at
the start of the race is therefore almost mandatory.
Starts
offer great opportunities for pictures and to mingle with the teams
and racers warming up (autographs as well?). Tour starts are often a
favorite part of our trips as the interaction with the riders/teams is
unparalleled.
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