"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Reliving Stage 10 of the '01 TdF

So I spent a little of my Christmas money on the 4 hour DVD of the 2001 Tour de France. I buy the TdF vids a year late because they are substantially discounted. I ordered the DVD from World Cycling Productions. The package arrived yesterday.

In the evening I finally got a little time to sit down and watch a little. I skipped ahead immediately to the tenth stage. You know the one I mean. It was Lance's first stage win for '01 on L'Alpe D'Huez. Over the first climbs Lance sat at the back looking miserable and feigning suffering. Jan Ullrich and Team Telekom saw their advantage and set the pace, working hard at the front all day. Approaching L'Alpe, Lance "recovered" miraculously. He passed Ullrich, took a long look over his shoulder to see if the German would respond. Jan could do nothing, and Lance sailed up the mountain, making it all look easy.

2001 was a great tour, and bike racing just doesn't get better than the 10th stage.

Originally posted by RegularGuy
2001 was a great tour, and bike racing just doesn't get better than the 10th stage.

Yup - that was an amazing strategy that worked to perfection. I still remember "the look", and then the drop. I'm really looking forward to next year's grand tours. :)

I think Hollywood could use a few acting tips from Lance;) , nd yes, that was an amazing stage. I have "The Look" poster on my wall and can't help but think how fun that must have been for Lance
:D.

yeha... I remember watching that Live and was liek 'what the hell is wrong with Lance ?' He looked worse than I usually do on a ride... he deserves an Oscar for that performance.. and "the look" like he was looking at Jan Ullrich and saying "Come here you little b**ch, you wanna piece of me ?" That was pure racing magic ! heheh a a helluva lotta fun to watch

Jeff

Of course, he'l never be able to pull that off again. No one is going to fall for that gimp act anymore!

As a newcomer to the sport, I first learned of this famous stage in Lance's autobiography.

I finally had the opportunity to see it last week. A buddy of mine was giving me a test to measure my lactate threshhold (sorry, can't remember the technical name). During the test, he shows me coverage of that stage (for "inspiration"). Lance's stare was unforgettable!:eek: He must be a good poker player too!

Anyway, my friend told me later that he plans to ride L'Alpe D'Huez next summer.

Vo2 test maybe? :D

Yup, I believe that was it. :thumbup:

*buys the dvd*