A grand day out on the Galibier
Tour de France: The Cycling Podcast is in full swing on the roadside
Love and violence on the Col du Galibier
by Graham Willgoss
I say the Galibier, stage four of this year’s Tour de France ascended the Col du Lautaret, of course. The mountain was everything you’d want from either side of one of the Tour’s most famous peaks: thousands of people lining the road from foot to summit, a sea of national flags, fancy dress, memorabilia and polka dots. A sense of anticipation and excitement that only hanging out at 2,000-plus metres altitude for hours – even days – on end can give you when the race is close to finally arriving.
When it showed up, it didn’t disappoint. Sometimes, you’re in exactly the right place at exactly the right time. The Cycling Podcast team were a matter of two or three yards from where Tadej Pogačar launched his decisive attack on what felt like a 13 per cent gradient just 500 metres from the top. The front group firing past is over before you know it. But the violent sense of speed as Pogačar shifted forwards out of the saddle and over his handlebars with that familiar angular poise, and the fevered reaction of the crowd around us, was exhilarating.
UAE’s main man dragged Jonas Vingegaard (Visma–Lease A Bike) with him, followed within four or five bike-lengths by Remco Evenepoel (Soudal–Quick-Step), then the rest of what was previously the front group. The gaps between Evenepoel and Carlos Rodriguez (Ineos) and Juan Ayuso (UAE), then Joao Almeida (UAE), Mikkel Landa (Soudal–Quick-Step) and Primoz Roglic (Red Bull–Bora–Hansgrohe) really show how sharp and sudden that Pogačar attack was.
On the other end of the power meter, going up the Lautaret on a day like this is slow going in The Cycling Podcar when you hit the mountain behind the race caravan. Particularly when a promo vehicle carrying an oversized Asterix breaks down among the melee. Despite the crowds on either side limiting the already-tight mountain road to one lane, the honking tow truck behind us, acutely aware of how pressing it was to clear the road before the race arrived, found the gap and pressed on through.
I can sum this manoeuvre up no better than Mitch: ‘How crazy was that guy? He just drove past like it was nothing.’
It was Mitch who drove us up the mountain, with Richard helping navigate the race route. Having had his 11am gelato in Pinerolo before the race start, Mitch was having a lovely time deliberately going the wrong way around each roundabout while the roads were closed – just because he could.
‘I just feel like I’m in a bike race. I can choose any side I want.’
When we parked up a kilometre from the summit, we were fortunate to find a space. For the teams’ support staff wanting to find a gap further down the climb, where the air is not quite so thin and cold, some negotiation is required. It looked very much like EF Education–EasyPost were bartering their way into a spot for their van with bottles and a bit of merch.
For us and the other fans (because, really, that’s what we were, at least partly, for the day) who made the climb to the top and endured the chill of altitude, the reward was an elevated view of the approaching riders and a front row seat to a pouncing Pogačar.
The podcast we put out ended up being something of a love letter to the Galibier. After three at-times chaotic days in Italy for this Tour’s Grand Départ, it felt right to revel in just how good days like this on the French side of the border can be.
Bon retour en France.
Listen to our Stage 4 episode – The Cycling Podcast at its best, capturing the essence and atmosphere of the Tour from close proximity and then dissecting the action.
Toast the Tour with DVine Cellars
Greg Andrews and the team at DVine Cellars have put together a case of six wines that match the route of the Tour. The first of the six, the Domaine Dupraz En Route Pour l’Apero Jacquère, celebrates stages four and five.
Established in 1880 by François Dupraz, the estate is now run by its sixth generation, Jérémy and Maxime Dupraz. Over to Greg… ‘With 18 hectares of vines in the foothills of the Chartreuse massif, they produce natural wines to obtain the purest expression of Jacquère. En Route Pour l’Apero is a celebration of the grape Jacquère and is a king of an aperatif. Fresh and clean with an explosion of Alpine acidity and notes of juicy pears, green apple and toast. The perfect way to refresh after a hot day in the saddle!’
The DVine Cellars 2024 Tour case
• Domaine Dupraz En Route Pour l'Apero Jacquère, Savoie, France
or Domaine Bruno Lupin Roussette Frangy, Savoie, France
• Domaine Corsin, Macon-Villages, Burgundy, France
• Domaine du Salvard, Cheverny Rouge, Gamay & Pinot, Loire Valley, France
• Chateau Paillas 2016 Cahors, France
• Bergerie de L'Hortus Blanc Pic St Loup, Languedoc, France
• Chateau de L'Escarelle, Les Deux Anges, Provence, France
Join us for a ride in Richard’s memory
Richard Moore’s dad Brian, and Richard’s two brothers Robin and Peter, would like our listeners – and especially Friends of The Cycling Podcast – to join them at West Lothian cycle circuit in Linlithgow, Scotland, on Saturday, July 20, when Mark Beaumont will unveil a plaque, created by Stacy Snyder, in Richard’s memory.
Bring a bike and join us on a few laps of the circuit, wear your Cycling Podcast jersey or casquette, if you have one. If you can’t bring a bike but just want to say hello and have a cup of tea, refreshments will be available. Brian has even promised the sun will be shining!
Saturday, July 20
West Lothian Cycle Circuit
McGinley Way, Linlithgow EH49 6SQ
Circuit open: 10.00 to 13.00
The plaque will be unveiled at 11.00.
The Cycling Podcast is supported by MAAP
A big thank you to MAAP for supporting The Cycling Podcast. Check out the full range of clothing to make you look the part on, and off, the bike at maap.cc
First experiance from downunder new to cycling at 60 great show ...luv Mitch..maaaate
Awesome episode guys, felt like I was on the mountain!