If you've never checked the Tour de France before, there's no time better than next Tuesday to start.

This is when the riders hit the Alps. On 17 July their 208km day will start at 190m at Aix-les-Bains, taking in the 2000m Col de la Madelaine (just above Valmorel), pass another 1900m peak at Col du Glandon before the small matter of 21 hairpin bends up to the finish in Alpe d'Huez. Only one rider has ever won this stage and still managed to win the Tour itself.

A recent book about the Tour (French Revolutions, Tim Moore) describes the racers in the Tour as 'somewhere between the animals and the gods'. Watch this stage and try not to see them inthe latter...

Unfortunately the event is not being covered by Channel 4 this year (blame Big Brother and the Ashes), but you can follow it on Eurosport or online at www.letour.fr

French Revolutions
(Tim Moore)

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