Don’t let the average gradient lull you into a false sense of security. The Sarenne might allow riders some respite in the middle, but is a brute of a climb which finally spits you out above Alpe d’Huez. Curistas crossed the summit on Stage 4 in 2019 knowing that the descent would only deliver them to the bottom of the traditional route up the Alpe.
In 2013 the Tour took on the double ascent and Chris Froome was able to pull further ahead of his rivals on the stage (despite cheating and being docked 20 seconds) en route to winning the Yellow Jersey for the first time.
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