Tour de France 2013: l’Alpe d’Huez

L’Alpe d’Huez is the most iconic climb of the Tour de France and today, for the first time in 100 editions of the race, the riders will climb it twice in one day.

What awaits them? Just 13.8km of climbing at an average gradient of 8.1 per cent, and, of course, the legendary 21 hairpin bends.

Fausto Coppi, Il Campionissimo, one of the greatest riders in the history of the sport, won on the climb’s first appearance in the Tour in 1952.

This year’s elite – Froome, Contador, Quintana et al – would love to claim victory on the first ‘double d’Huez’ of La Grande Boucle.

Here’s the latest infographic from our partners at

Tour de France 2013: Lotto Belisol’s team behind the team

Today’s Tour infographic provided by our friends at RoadCyclingUK looks at Andre Greipel’s Lotto Belisol sprint train, it’s one of the most efficient in the business.

Here’s an illustrated breakdown of the power behind Greipel’s throne: the staff behind the German national champion and the brave team-mates who deliver ‘the Gorilla’ to the line.

Lotto Belisol's Tour de France Support Team

Wimbledon vs. Tour prize money comparison

As the riders have a well earned day off after a tough week and the two gruelling days in the Pyrenees we take a look at some interesting figures compiled by our partners at RoadCyclingUK.

Team Sky’s Geraint Thomas fractured his hip on the first stage of the 2013 Tour de France but has refused to quit.

Such displays of courage are the norm for professional cycling, despite the unimaginable challenge of racing for three weeks.

Do the stars of other sports have it easy by comparison, and reap greater rewards?

When Andy Murray stepped on to Centre Court at Wimbledon, he was playing for a £1.6m pay cheque. If Chris Froome wins the Tour de France, he will collect €450,000.

Thomas tweeted recently on the £23,000 prize money given to players who exit Wimbledon after the first round, joking that his girlfriend should attend the local tennis court.

We compare the prize money offered to the riders of the Tour de France and the players at Wimbledon, it’s certainly an eye opener.

Wimbledon vs. Tour de France prize money comparison

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