Pogacar wins on Alpe d'Huez amid dangerous fan crowding

Tadej Pogacar claimed victory on the iconic Alpe d'Huez, but the celebration was overshadowed by dangerous conditions caused by an overwhelming number of spectators. As Pogacar ascended the climb, a rider in his breakaway, Einar Rubio, crashed into a team car due to fans obstructing the road. Rubio sustained injuries and was forced to abandon the Tour de France.

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They would do well to hang ropes from the foot, and then fences in the last five kilometers.

This incident highlighted pre-existing fears among cyclists about the safety of crowded mountain stages. Remco Evenepoel had previously described the narrow sections of Alpe d'Huez as "frightening" and suggested the use of ropes and barriers. Race organizer Richard Plugge proposed charging spectators for access to popular finish lines like Alpe d'Huez to manage crowd numbers.

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My ears are still vibrating a bit. You really see that it's a party. It's super special to ride through that.

An estimated half a million fans lined the climb, with many camping out days in advance. While most fans were enthusiastic and maintained distance, some posed risks. Cyclists like Thymen Arensman reported being hit by flags and experiencing "scary" moments, fearing their wheels could get caught. Victor Campenaerts humorously noted the difference between horizontal and vertical pushes from the crowd, advising fans to be more mindful.

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It was quite scary a few times, I didn't want such a flag to get into my wheel.

Arensman himself, despite a strong performance earlier in the stage, fell back in the final kilometers, citing he was "a few percent short" of a stage win. The incident involving Rubio serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks in cycling, particularly on legendary climbs where the passion of fans can create hazardous situations.

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They must understand that it is pleasant to get a push on your butt in the direction you are riding. Getting a blow on your back vertically is less pleasant.