Stage 11 profile
Alexandre Vinokourov made up for his slump in form on the previous stage to outwit Santiago Botero after their two-man break.

Your Tour experiences and comments
I have just come back from doing the Marmotte. The highlight for me was the Galibier. Even though it went on a long way it never really got steep and then you were rewarded with spectacular views. My admiration for the Tour riders was always very high but, after doing the Marmotte, I am blown away by their fitness. How they ride day after day is beyond comprehension to the average cyclist. Long live the Tour.
Les Howarth, North Yorkshire

I cycled over Galibier in 1959 from the north and found it quite a tough job. From the TV pictures I gather that the road surface is much better now although these days I would find it pretty impossible as a grandfather in my 60's. We had cycled over Col de L'Iseran (2,800m) the previous day which was then the highest pass in Europe - although an easier climb to keep going on. An August snowstorm forced us to overnight at the 'hotel' on the top of L'Iseran making for a tricky descent the following morning on the icy road. No high-speed descent for the first few kilometres that day.
David S., Kent, England.

Some friends and I climbed the Galibier last month. One guy on his steel Bianchi, the other with a 23! It was awesome! There are the views, the names on the road, the ridiculous length of it (especially after the softener that is the Telegraphe) and of course the final, leg sapping climb right at the top. If you get the chance climb it; its better than d'Huez! Pack gloves and arm warmers though, the descent is freezing.
Graeme Robertson, UK

Just back from 2 weeks cycling in the Alps having climbed many of the big cols (Galibier, Izoard, Agnel, Alpe d'Huez...). The Galibier from Valloire was tough especially the last kilometres through the hairpins but you are rewarded with great views of the valley. The climb was made more challenging since I had climbed the Galibier from Briancon (via the col de Lautaret) during the same ride before doing a u-turn at valloire to climb back up to the top. The toughest climb I found however was on the Italian side of the alps, a ride which took in the col de Finestre at an average gradient of 9.2% over 22km, the last 8km being on gravel. This was used a few weeks ago in the penultimate stage of the giro d'Italia. Following the Finestre, it was the Sestriere
Julian Kashdan, Paris

Seven of us have just got back from riding the stage from Courchevel to Briancon. This is epic stuff, everyone who finishes the day at the pace they ride deserves enormous credit. I am looking forward to watching the stage live next Wednesday with a good bottle of red wine and some cheese!
John Atkinson, Ilkley

I last saw a stage of the TDF in 1986 on l'Alpe' Huez when Greg Lemond and Bernard Hinault crossed the line hand in hand and more poignantly for me it was the last day the great Scot, Robert Millar wore the Polka Dot! Never to be forgotten! If you are a francophile or simply a sports fan the TDF is a must at least once in your life. I'm going back again next week and hope to see the riders climb the Col de La Galibier. How about Lance for a Sports personality award or an honourary knighthood?
george rattray, wishaw, scotland

I followed the Tour in 1996. I went up the Galibier to watch the riders, but the stage got shortened due to snow. I've never been so cold on a summer holiday! We saw all the riders though, laughing as they passed us in their team cars.
Steve, England

Cycled from Bourg d'Oisans to the top of Galibier in 2004. Along with my friend, we watched the Alpe d'Huez time trial and then, suitably inspired, cycled up the mighty Galibier. Truly a grind of a mountain, Galibier catches you at the end with an incredibly steep last 400m or so. You can see the finish, you can even see other people milling around the peak but your going so slowly up the final few metres that you do fear falling off and walking the last yards - think of the embarrassment!
Tom Levitt, England

I have cycled up the Tourmalet, Alp d'Huez, Lauteret and the Galibier. They are very challenging but if you take your time its well worth the effort especially when you get to enjoy the descent of them afterwards. Even in the summer the weather conditions can be harsh. The time I cycled up the Tourmalet was very misty and I could barely feel my hands on the way down as they were so cold - which wasn't great as you need to use the breaks at least occasionally! I have never tried to do two cols in succession and that is what is so impressive about the riders as they do col after col day after day - awesome fitness. Overall, truly one of the great sporting events on the calendar.
Tim Price, England

My wife who was 26 weeks pregnant at the time and I camped for 48 hours on Alp d'Huez last year. Even in her state, she had an amazing time, as of course did I! You will find that basically all rules are off, and most verges have a small encampment on tents/campervans all around each stage.
daviespatrick, Five Live messageboard

I have ridden up Col de la Madeleine in the same direction the Tour will ride it in Stage 11 this year. The lower slopes have lots of switchbacks and you feel like you are really making progress. The toughest part is the middle section, not only are you getting tired but there are no switchbacks, just a continuous climb up the side of the valley with a few villages to break the monotony. Climbing from this side is probably safer as the road is quite narrow to descend at speed. The riders should be grateful they have food bags, the pizza place at the top is terrible, though the views are fantastic.
Mark Darvill, New Zealand

Having just returned from a six-day cycle trip around the French Alps comprising 410 miles, 12 Cols, 39111 feet of ascent, in temperatures of up to 120'F, I can confirm the hardship encountered by cyclists following any Tour de France stage. Our route from Geneva to L'Alpe d'Huez back to Geneva took in the following climbs: Jambaz, Colombiere, Aravis, Telegraphe, Galibier, Lauteret, L'Alpe d'Huez, Glandon, Crox de Fer, Moolard, Madeleine, Forclaz and Sion.

Stage 11 of the 2005 Tour de France passes over Madeleine, Telegraphe and Galibier. Last year we rode Madeleine from the La Lechere side which the Tour is doing this year and found it less steep compared to climbing from La Chambre. The climb from La Lechere is 28km and is non stop climbing from the valley to the summit at 2000m. There are short sections where the climb steepens but generally it is just the constant rise that tires the legs. The descent is much steeper at only 20km, with some fast bends at the top changing to tight hairpins at the bottom.

After about 10 miles along the valley floor the foot of Telegraphe is reached. This is a much shorter climb than Madeleine at 12km making it seem easier as it twists and turns it way through the heavily forested slopes, which also assists to keep the riders shaded from the sun. After reaching the summit it doesn't take long to descend into Valloire which is the start of the 20km climb up Galibier to an altitude of 2635m.

The initial few kilometres climb at a pleasant rate but with about 6km left the road doubles back on itself, and kicks, the climb is now very steep at about 12% (1:8) and continues at this gradient all the way to the top. You hope for some respite but it doesn't come, every bend in the road just leads onto more constant climbing and climbing, it can get very demoralising when the legs are getting tired. You also notice that the trees have disappeared, and the grass is thinning out, soon you have reached the snow line and the landscape is barren, it is now that you can feel the thinner air, the lungs are gasping for breath and having to work twice as hard to work the leg muscles, it is a real battle to reach the summit with the last 1km being hairpin bends. Once at the summit of Galibier, there will be no time for the Tour to stop and admire the gorgeous view over the surrounding landscape, before they start the very fast and technical descent, reaching speeds in excess of 100kph.

As we descended off Galibier down towards L'Alpe d'Huez we were caught by the French Pro Race team Francais de Jeux. We managed to stay with them at speeds of up to 70kph (43mph) for 25 miles all the way to the foothills of d'Huez, but that wasn't for us, we were doing it the next day.
Graeme Cockburn, United Kingdom

I have just returned from the French Alps after climbing several of the high cols, including the mighty Galibier which is an exceptionally tough challenge, especially as part of a longer route. It's over 34 km's from the valley floor (in 36 degree heat) to the top at 2680 metres where altitude becomes another factor. The last 8km's of ridiculously steep hairpins with snow on the sides of the road have a 10% gradient which becomes a real nightmare. It's very hard to keep pedalling, even in the lowest gear and I couldn't complete it without stopping several times. The thought of racing over it is horrible, just getting over it was my aim. And of course in Le Tour they have to do this sort of thing day after day � unbelievable! Of course the down-hills on the other side are a real blast, my top speed was 46.8 mph. A fantastic experience - highly recommended. They say the Galibier always reveals the truth.
Mark Wakeling, UK

Seeing Briancon back in the Tour reminds me of 1987 and being there at the end of a tour stage. Wandering around the press area I bumped into Paul Sherwen and spent a few minutes talking to him about the next days stage up L'Aple D'Huez. A top rider and top man! Good on ya Paul.
Bryan Harper, Newbury

Many talk of the climb to l'Alpe d'Huez as the ultimate alpine uphill ride, but this year's Tour demonstrates, with the north climb to the Col du Galibier, the ultimate in high-alpine passes. Thirty six kilometres from bottom to top, endless climbing and very steep towards the end. I first climbed this in the scorching summer of 2003 - rRespect to the Tour's riders.
Michael Garrood, Zurich

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