L'Alpe d'Huez (Winter)

Original illustration of l'Alpe d'Huez, an iconic cycle racing track in the Grandes Rousses massif, part of the Dauphiné Alps. The area is also known for winter sports such as skiing, and hosted bobsleigh events during the 1968 Grenoble Winter Olympics. The skiing resort at L'Alpe d'Huez is one of the world's largest, with 249 kilometres of piste and 84 ski-lifts.

The cycling route start in the Romanche valley at Le Bourg d'Oisans, and climbs 13.8 kilometres (8.6 miles) with an average gradient of 8.1% and maximum gradient of 13%. The route features no less than twenty-one hairpin turns (or switchbacks), and climbs to an elevation of 1,860 metres. L'Alpe d'Huez was first featured in the Tour de France in 1952, for the Tour's first ever mountain-top finish; the stage was won by Fausto Coppi. Further appearances were limited until 1976; since then, L'Alpe d'Huez has established itself as an iconic stage in the Tour de France. Of its first fourteen finishes, eight were won by Dutchmen, leading to the route sometimes being known as the 'Dutch Mountain.'

Cyclists who have won the Alpe d'Huez stage of the Tour de France include: Fausto Coppi, Joop Zoetelmelk (x2), Hennie Kuiper (x2), Joaqium Agostinho, Peter Winnen (x2), Beat Breu, Luis Herrera, Bernard Hinault, Federico Echave, Steven Rooks, Gery-Jan Theunisse, Gianni Bugno (x2). Andrew Hampsten, Roberto Conti, Marco Patani (x2), Giuseppe Guerini, Iban Mayo, Franck Schleck, Carlos Sastre, Pierre Rolland, Christophe Riblon, Thibaut Pinot, Gerraint Thomas, and Tom Pidcock. 

This illustration by Rob Wisdom is a high quality Giclée art print on cotton-rich fine art paper.

12x16" art print shown. Cropping and title position (if applicable) may differ slightly on 'A' size art prints.