A stage that definitely competes as the hardest of the 2010 Tour means an end to the mountains... here is the profile of stage 17:
Another 7.15am start had us on the road to the infamous Col de Marie Blanque. 55km of rolling hills (plus the first snack stop) took us all to the bottom of this 9km climb, a climb that is a real "sucker trap" for anyone not familiar with it... Of those 9km, the first 5km are at an average of 4-6%, and it is only at km market 6 that things get very spicy. The last 4km average 11%, 10%, 13% & 12% respectively... it is a sucker trap for anyone that goes to quickly on the bottom section. Having done this climb last year, i wasn't going to make that mistake again... I climbed this one at a steady pace with Jake
Jake climbing the MArie Blanque as it hits the steep section
The infamous sign showing 13% average gradient for the next km..
top of the Marie Blanque
Fom the top of the first climb, we had a superb descent that had me hitting my top speed of the Tour, 73.2 km/h.
Then it was along the valley for 20km before ascending the other side of the Col du Soulor (we climbed it from another way on Stage 16). This ascent was 29km in length, but only really was testing for the last 12km. We were at the hottest point of the day (35 degrees), and despite the very annoying horseflies this ascent was beautiful.
Jake decided to attack with 3km to go, and the competitive spirit in me took over (knowing it was the last tough day..) and so i felt obliged to hunt him down and take victory with 300m to the summit. The 300 sheep at the top were more than impressed.
Unable to watch the drama unfold
Another great descent down the Soulor (25km) took us into Argeles Gazost and to our lunch stop just 40km from the top of the Col de Tourmalet. We had done 135km, and it was only 3pm as a small group of us set off down the gorge that links Argeles to Luz st Savour. Once in Luz, you take a left turn that gets you onto the base of the Tourmalet, and a sign that says "18.3km to the summit"
I decided against stopping at the drinks stop after 5km of climbing as i wanted to ascend the mountain without stopping. The views to the top just about took away any pain in the legs on the 1hr 35 minute cycle to the summit...
The last 5km were an absolute joy. I took my foot of the pedals, took lots of pictures and absorbed myself in the moment. I knew that once at the summit there was only one flat long stage to go (stage 18) before 2 short stages into Paris before saturday. At the summit there was a big welcome party, TDF banner, photographers etc to welcome each rider in at the 2115m finishing line. The first thing every rider did was to get a beer or shandy from the Cafe at the summit.
Here am i taking it all in
From the summit, we cycled the 5km down the back of the mountain to La Mongie (ski resort) and had dinner in a hotel there, awaiting all the riders to come through. The last ones finished just as the light was fading.. Then it was time to hop on the bus and drive back to our hotel in Pau, we didn't get back til 12.45am..! Not ideal with tomorrow's transfer and early start..
The bikes used in 1908, the type first used to get up the Tourmalet
Day length: 8 hours 39 mins
Day distance" 174km
Total distance: 3,260km
Total riding time: 143 hours 6 minutes
(17 stages)
Map of the ride with Data HERE
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