Col de Sarennes

On the day of the Tour, I left home early with an American friend, Mark, to drive up to Alpe d'Huez and hoped that we would be able to drive up to the ski resort via Allemond and through the village of Villard-Reculas. Unfortunately, gendarmes were already blocking the route at eight'o'clock in the morning so we turned around and drove to Bourg d'Oisans. The main road up to the Alpe d'Huez was already blocked to spectators cars. Other than official traffic, only bikes and pedestrians were being allowed through. This left one more option via the Col de Sarennes, which we drove up from the Barrage du Chambon, near the start of the climb to les Deux Alpes. The morning was clear and gave some of the best views I have ever seen of the Ecrins massif and we were able to park a kilometre from Alpe d'Huez.

Lance Amstrong spinning to victory

We based ourselves on hairpin three as we had a good view on to the road near us as well as onto a few hundred metres of road below the hairpin. Eight of the Cheltenham Cycle Club had cycled up from Grenoble, my work colleague Paola and her friend, Doug. Mike and Andrea from the States who I'd met through this website - who lost their keys on the Alpe in the afternoon and I doubt will forget the fun they had in France, and Tom and Mark made up the group.

After an incredible build-up of atmosphere, with garbled messages that Lance Armstrong has attacked, and then the television helicopters getting closer and closer. When Lance rode into view on the hairpins below us, everybody went wild!

A Chasing Ullrich

Ullrich seemed to be a long way behind Lance but giving it everything to stay ahead of Beloki. Ullrich finished two minutes behind Armstrong and ten seconds ahead of Beloki.

Garzelli

Stefano Garzelli riding alone on the Alpe d'Huez. My favourite picture of the day, as Garzelli is riding at 100 percent and the crowd are encouraging him as much as they can.

Nardello and Jullich

The Italian champion, Daniele Nardello climbing with Bobby Julich. Nardello eventually finished the 2001 Tour in 57th position and Julich in 18th.

The Maillot Jaune

Stuart O'Grady in yellow. O'Grady finished the Tour, one hour 36 minutes and in 54th position.

The Peleton

Eric Zabel at the front of the peleton.

Credit Agricole *

Jens Voigt climbs above Belmont to Chamrousse. Voigt would eventually finish the Tour in 46th place, one hour 30 behind Lance Armstrong.

I cycled the route about an hour before the caravan left Grenoble and got a soaking with my friend, Doug. Near Chamrousse, we were directed behind the barriers by the gendarmes and off the route, and then were told we couldn't cross the road to descend back to Grenoble. We did cross after the caravan had passed, but out of the watchful eye of the police and then froze on the 30 kilometres back to the city.

30 seconds after the start

Michael Boogerd accelerating to his time-trial speed in Grenoble.

I watched the big names in the city and then retired to the appartment to see the race unfold on the television. After the awful weather of the morning, the afternoon turned into a pleasant day, perfect for the mountain time-trial.

The ease of seeing the riders at the Criterium du Dauphine in June, Grenoble was busy with people watching the riders,

Under the flags *

Jan Ullrich climbing through the flags above Belmont.

Climbing above Belmont *

Jan Ullrich would climb to finish in second place.

Climbing to his second stage win *

Lance Armstrong climbing to victory from Grenoble to Chamrousse. He completed the 32km in one hour and seven minutes, a minute faster than Jan Ullrich.