Day 5: Wednesday, July 21
Alpe d’Huez time trial

A few steps up from the corner the group moved in on a space held by some Dutch guys. They didn’t seem to mind. It helped that Pieter and Oscar are Dutch.

The hosts, drinking beer, killing time, all decked out in orange. They’d staked out this spot for three days.

It was an hour and a half or so before the first rider came by, but it was no hardship passing time. Soon the first riders began to come by.

The riders start in reverse order, so Lance would be the last rider to start.

The starting list in a copy of the newspaper L’Equipe provided the order the riders. It was carefully followed so that the group always knew who would come next.

You could observe their form, look into their eyes and get a sense of the individual as they rode past.

Robbie McEwen, green jersey wearer and captain of the Dutch Lotto/Domo team, gets a lusty reception.

Eric Dekker, resplendant in the Dutch national champion’s jersey, rounds the corner, sees orange and motions, “Hey, guys, I can’t hear you.”

Stuart O’Grady.

Bobby Julich looked fresh and happy.