March 11th, 2010

The Col de la Croix de Fer: start your own legend0
Guy WR posted in Classic Climbs on March 16th, 2007

Despite lacking a secure place in Tour de France mythology, the Col de la Croix de Fer is one of the most scenic climbs in the region as well as a worthy riding challenge.

Given its proximity to other epic climbs, and the absence a nearby town, the Croix de Fer will never be a stage finish in the Tour. Its only hope for a prominent place in the Tour archives is to perhaps feature a stage-deciding epic battle. (more…)

Doping and climbing: Marco Pantani – part 13
Guy WR posted in Climbers, Doping on March 8th, 2007

A previous post introduced a brief history of drug scandals in the professional peloton. In two posts, part 1 and 2, I consider the implications doping has had on climbing by looking at perhaps its most prominent – and tragic – case study: Marco Pantani. In particular, I discuss his record ascents of l’Alpe d’Huez.

Pantani was the most talented and exciting grimpeur of the last fifteen years. His exploits between 1994 and 2000 were sensational. He climbed like a man possessed, throwing races into chaos with his attacking style, and eschewing conservatism to attack on the most difficult of climbs with reckless aggression. (more…)

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