The Tour de France spent a number of days in the last week of the race in the Alps, where we saw Santiago Botero, Michael Boogerd and Dario Frigo all take stage victories. I following the race from Tuesdays arrival in Les Deux Alpes to the Depart in Cluses on the Friday morning. The weather was warm every day, with no rain, with all spectators soaking up the atmosphere and a great party atmosphere.

The only problems this year were the gendarmes cutting off the roads to cyclists. There were no problems on the climb of Les Deux Alpes as riders could make their way up the climb for most of the afternoon, but on the Col de la Madeleine and Col des Aravis, riders were asked to walk with at least an hour until the caravan passed through. It was possible to ride around the next corner and start cycling again until the next gendarme stopped you. On one occasion, one of my Tour party had the air let out of his front tyre and on another, two riders with our group were made to sit on the verge as the caravan passed.

 

Tuesday 23rd July : Vaison-le-Romaine - Les Deux Alpes, 226.5 km

Images taken on the climb of Les Deux Alpes, just after the four kilometre to climb banner.

Santigo Botero on his way to his second stage victory at the top of the climb to Deux Alps. Botero would finish the day nearly two minutes ahead of Mario Aerts.

Domo rider Axel Merckx rides in second place on the stage, followed by Lotto's Mario Aerts. Aerts would overtake Merckx before the top.

Lance Armstrong rides alongside Ivan Basso with just under four kilometres to climb to the finish.

Cofidis rider David Moncoutié climbing to Deux Alpes.

Richard Virenque sits in a group on the climb of Les Deux Alpes.

The last rider on the stage, Jimmy Casper, riding to finish over 38 minutes behind stage winner Santiago Botero.

 

Wednesday 24th July : Les Deux Alpes - La Plagne, 179.5 km

Images taken on second climb of the Col de la Madeleine, and following the riders passing, I watched the rest of the stage from a cafe.

On his way to an incredible stage victory, the Dutchman Michael Boogerd has left his breakaway companions behind on the Col de la Madeleine.

Robert Hunter and Stuart O'Grady on the Col de la Madeleine.

The chase group including Laurent Jalabert are three minutes behind Michael Boogerd.

Lance Armstrong sits behind the US Postal train on the early kilometres of the Col de la Madeleine.

Austrialian Robbie McEwen rides alone on the Madeleine.

The Alessio team leader Laurent Dufaux on the Madeleine. Defaux would abandon before the end of the stage.

Click here for 2002 Tour de France images from Thursday and Friday