Rich22

When do the race officials decide what route they go? Im a TdF newbie and was wondering where alpe d'huez was on this years tour. And also how big of a climb is it compared to the ones this tour.

waltergodefroot

The race route is usually announced early in the year at a big party/media event. Towns compete for the Tour to go through their communitites as it brings a big economic boost to the area. The route changes year to year and Alp d' Huez is not always included, as you have noticed. It is a main attraction in the Tour when it is included, as it was last year. Here is a profile of the climb:

Dolomiti

l'alpe isn't as difficult as the Madeliene or Galibier... but probably more difficult than Ax-3-Domaines or Courchevel. Maybe it's a little bit more difficult than Pla d'Adet

Look through this site... it contains some of the climbs in this year's race, as well as l'Alpe d'Huez. https://www.bertevers.nl/Profiles/profiles.htm

Rich22

A stage 1 is the hardest difficulty or is it 4?

Also if it isnt that hard (compared to the others u listed) why do people make such a huge stink about it?

Laggard

HC is the hardest catagory climb. 4 is the easiest.

Alp d'huez, for various reasons is legendary. It's been the site for a lot of famous TDF moments.

roadgator

its in descending order. 4 is the easiest (realy just a hill) on down to 1.

then there is HC (hours catergorie) or above catergory, which is even harder than cat. 1.

i think they do this because its not as straightforaward (gradients, profiles and total elevationa get pretty extreame for these) to compare 2 HC climbs as it would be for 2 2nd or 3rd cat climbs.

gmason

The scenery is absolutely gorgeous too: https://perso.wanadoo.fr/masong4/imagesalpedhuez.htm

Rich22

definetely....