The iconic Alpe d'Huez returns to the Tour de France for stage 12 in 2022, which is set to be its 31st appearance on the Tour since its first introduction in 1952.
Instantly recognisable from the air, riders have to navigate 13.8 kilometres and 21 hairpin bends as it slithers from Bourg d’Oisans to the ski resort of Alpe d’Huez in the French Alps.
First included in the Tour de France in 1952, Alpe d'Huez provided the location of the Tour's first ever summit finish. Now a regular and popular feature of the French Grand Tour, it's hard to believe that in 1952 the climb up the mountain didn't prove a success for race organisers - the sea of spectators spilling onto the road that we are used to seeing now did not exist.
It took 24 years before organisers used Alpe d'Huez again, though, when in 1976 both the sport and the resort had rapidly developed. Since then, the climb has made Tour champions, and broken the hearts and bodies of many others - and not just racers. The climb has become a ‘must do’ ascent for cyclists, and is a mecca for bike-bound pilgrims every year when the snow melts away.
All 21 hairpins are named after the winners of stages, and by 2001 all 21 hairpins had been named. Consequently, naming restarted at the bottom of the mountain, with Lance Armstrong's name replacing the race's first winner in 1952, Fausto Coppi.
The stage last featured on the Grand Tour in 2018, where Geraint Thomas took the stage win.
Alpe d'Huez stats
Location: Alps, France
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Distance: 13.8km
Average gradient: 8.1 per cent, with the steepest part 11.5 per cent
Maximum elevation: 1850 metres
Fastest recorded ascent: 37 minutes and 35 seconds by Marco Pantani during 1997 Tour de France
Tour de France stages on Alpe d'Huez
Spectators line the hairpin bends on stage 19 of the 2011 Tour de France
(Image credit: Watson)
There are more cameras now, but the scene on Alpe d'Huez remains the same: fans grabbing a glimpse of their favourite riders and a party atmosphere.
It is estimated hundreds of thousands of fans often gather on Alpe d'Huez during the race, offering encouragement and support up the painful climbs and hairpins. However, this sometimes isn't without controversy, with heavy police intervention required on occasions.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
At the 1986 Tour de France, Bernard Hinault said he would help Greg LeMond to win the Tour, however, his actions suggested otherwise throughout the race. In an apparent sign of truce, the pair crossed the finish line arm in arm, making it one of the most iconic photographs in Tour history.
For pedants sake, Hinault crossed the line fractionally earlier and won the race, though LeMond eventually secured the overall victory.
Marco Pantani climbing Alpe d'Huez at the 1997 Tour de France
(Image credit: Watson)
Marco Pantani, Richard Virenque and Jan Ullrich fought it out on stage 13 of the 1997 Tour, but it was Pantani would win the stage. Meanwhile, Ullrich went on to win the GC for the first and only time in his career, with Virenque claiming the King of the Mountains title.
Pantani won on the Alpe for the second time in his career with this 97 win, attacking three times with only Ullrich able to match him. The German lasted until 10km were left, before the Italian rode alone to win the stage and climb the mountain with a record speed.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
In 1999, Giuseppe Guerini led the Alpe d'Huez stage comfortably and was only a few hundred metres from the finish line when he collided with a spectator who had stepped into his path to take a photograph.
Unperturbed, Guerini managed to get back on his bike and finish 21 seconds ahead of second-placed Pavel Tonkov, in what is perhaps one of the most bizarre Tour de France moments.
Christophe Riblon winning the Alpe d'Huez stage in the 2013 Tour de France
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Stage 18 of the 2013 Tour de France, the 100th edition of the race, included a double ascent of the Alpe d'Huez climb for the first time ever. Riders reached 1,765m on the first passage, climbed Col de Sarenne in between, before continuing to the traditional finish on the second climb in what proved an especially gruelling stage.
Christophe Riblon prevailed in 2013, having chased down Tejay van Garderen over the second ascent before winning the stage by over a minute.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Geraint Thomas became the first, and to date, only rider to win the Alpe d'Huez stage of the Tour de France while in the yellow jersey when he crossed the line first in 2018.
Steve Kruijswijk had been on a 70km solo attack, but Thomas, along with Tom Dumoulin, Chris Froome, Romain Bardet and Mikel Landa, was able catch him two-thirds into the climb. With around half a kilometre left of the race, Thomas dropped the remaining riders to create history, setting himself up for an extended lead in the GC.
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