Gesink Can't Wait for Alpe d'Huez Goosebumps
Dutch climbing specialist Robert Gesink can't wait for the Tour de France 18th stage -- and the free pushes he expects to get from drunken Dutch fans on the 13.8 km trek to the finish line.
The first of three stages in the French Alps, Thursday's ride begins in Gap and features a total of six climbs, including two ascensions of the Alpe d'Huez.
For the Dutch fans, that means double the fun, or double the pain depending on how their riders are faring on the 21 hairpin bends which are traditionally lined with hundreds of thousands of fans.
Halfway up, the air virtually turns orange at what has become known as 'Dutch Corner'.
Fans clad in orange suits, giant hats, make-up and other colorful costumes dance with beer in hand to the sound of DJ's mixing the latest techno tunes. All while waiting for the peloton to pass.
Access to the Alpe can be difficult in the days leading up to the Tour and with Gesink's teammate Bauke Mollema in fourth overall, albeit at over six minutes behind leader Chris Froome, it has been closed for the past two days.
Gesink admitted: "I think it's going to be great on the 'Dutch mountain'. I've heard so many stories that cars can't even go up anymore for the past week because it's so full."
Gesink, once touted as a possible yellow jersey winner, says having so many compatriots on the famous ascent can have its benefits.
"I did it two years ago, and at the Dutch corner you don't have to pedal for half a kilometer because people push you so much."
The prospect of drunken compatriots running alongside shouting in your ear as you toil on a 13.8 km climb after 150 km of hard racing may not be to everyone's taste.
But Gesink added: "It really hurts when people start smashing into you... all the drunk people, being drunk for probably three days already.
"All the energy you get from the people. It gives you goosebumps. It's going to be great."
Source: Agence France Presse
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