The Tour de France is the largest sporting event in the world. Spanning three weeks, with an audience of 3.5 billion on television and 12 million on the roads. It is also unique in that you don't need a ticket to attend and you can get really close to the action - sometimes even in the action if you suffer from space awareness deficit. This is what it sounds like at the Alpe D'Huez, one of the legendary climbs of the sport:
A little background:
"Described in the press as the best Tour de France since 1989. This was the third of three incredible days in the Alps before the final individual time trial in Grenoble the next day where Cadel Evans was to sentence the Tour, the first Australian victory in the history of the race. Alberto Contador was on fire that day after blowing up the day before going up the Galibier, when he lost any hopes of winning the 2011 race. He attacked at the base of the Télegraphe and only Andy Schleck managed to follow. They passed clear over the Col du Télegraphe and the Galibier. The peloton went on panic mode and finally managed to wheel them in just before the start of the final climb of the day; the legendary Alpe D'Huez. One kilometer into the climb Contador attacked once again. This time none of the GC contenders managed to follow but 5 km before the finish line he blew up and Samuel Sanchez bridged the gap, dragging with him frenchman Pierre Roland. At this point, 2km before the finish, Roland saw a window of opportunity with the two tired spaniards and cycled clear to a magnificent solo victory."
And for a bit of fun. Because we love the sport and because the Grand Tour season starts this weekend with the Giro, here's a little warm up:
