Alpe d'Huez to stage 2 Grand Tour stage finishes in 2012?

As the dust settles on this week's (frankly rather exciting) Tour de France stage on Alpe d'Huez, rumours are currently circulating about the inclusion of the famous climb next summer.

The Giro d'Italia organisers look set to include a stage finish for the first time there to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Fausto Coppi's inaugural win there in 1952. This seems almost certain to happen next May, according to the Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Tour de France could also be coming to the Alpe next summer. This could be in the format of a mountain time trial (à la 2004) and would come reasonably early in the race (a clockwise year). Other rumoured local stage finishes are at La Toussuire and Albertville.

There you go! I am a big gossip.

Guy

www.kingofthemountains.co.uk

The calm before the storm...

...and it's not very calm! Yesterday late evening I rode up Alpe d'Huez to soak up a bit of pre-Tour atmosphere. There was a huge buzz of excitement that I can only presume, after the stage today, is now at fever pitch.

Normally the biggest party is on bend 7, known as 'Dutch Corner' and it did not disappoint; DJ, beer, barbecues, fancy dress and singing. Other areas were pretty lively too and it would seem that some are trying to create a few 'Luxembourg Corners' along the route.

This is just one photo from my evening ride, for more see: https://picasaweb.google.com/Leicesterlittle/AlpeDHuez2DaysBeforeTheTourArrives

Roll on tomorrow for another gripping stage and to hopefully catch sight of 'Polka Dot Man' again on bend 7!

King of the Mountains T shirts now available

They are here!

King of the Mountains/Alpe d'Huez T-shirts are now available as pictured and a powder pink, ladies fit version too. American Apparel, 100% cotton, S, M or L.

The design may be familiar to you; we have worked with Twin Six in the States whose design this is and they have produced a limited batch of their popular Alpe d'Huez T-shirts especially for us with our logo on the sleeve.

Selling for EUR 20 from us here at the chalet or EUR 25 packed and posted to the UK. Mail us if you want them mailed elsewhere and we'll let you know postage costs.

Drop us an E-mail with your order if you fancy one of the coolest T-shirts available since 'Frankie Says Relax' hit the catwalk!

We'll post a few pictures of us modelling them in and around the Alps. Could also be some potential for a little competition/photo album too of 'where did you wear yours?'.....