Paul Seixas (Decathlon CMA CGM) is worried that the expected huge crowds on the hairpins of l’Alpe d’Huez on stage 19 could spark a crash and so disrupt the racing as the French super talent fights for a place on the Tour de France podium.
French police closed the main road to l’Alpe d’Huez to ascending vehicular traffic early on Thursday afternoon after hundreds of thousands of people began to line the legendary road in cars and camper vans and packed the mountain top ski resort.
Friday’s stage climbs the famous Alpe d’Huez hairpins after a fast valley road from Gap. On Saturday, stage 20 returns to l’Alpe d’Huez via the small Col de Sarenne road.
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The crowds are expected to pack l’Alpe d’Huez for 48 hours, with a growing number of French fans returning to the Tour to cheer on Seixas. The 19-year-old has captured the hearts of the nation in recent weeks and is expected to fight for the GC podium in the Alps and could also take the best young rider’s white jersey if he can distance Isaac del Toro (UAE Team Emirates-XRG).
“It’s going to be incredible, but most of all, I hope I don’t crash on the climb because I think there will be a lot of spectators,” Seixas told L’Equipe and other media after finishing stage 18 in Orcières-Merlette.
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“We’ve seen that it’s quite dangerous. I just hope everything goes well. After that, it’s my legs that will decide.”
Vincenzo Nibali crashed near the summit of Alpe d’Huez in the 2018 Tour de France after a spectator’s camera strap caught his handlebars. He got up and finished the stage but X-rays revealed a vertebrae fracture and he was forced to abandon the race.
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The Tour de France makes daily appeals for roadside fans to stay safe and respect the riders but Richard Carapaz almost crashed while on the attack as a fan waved to the television camera rather than look at the race.
Seixas finished with his GC rivals in Orcières-Merlette. He sits fourth overall, 7:11 down on Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) but is only 20 seconds down on Del Toro and third place. He spent the stage trying to recover and prepare mentally and physically for the two days up to l’Alpe d’Huez.
“With the fatigue of the third week, you have to pace yourself. We rode well today, we stayed together for a long time,” Seixas said.
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“Daan [Hoole] was really impressive. I think it was a day that took its toll on everyone’s legs but the main objective was to really conserve energy. The next two days will be very tough and will be where the Tour will be decided, at least for the podium. I’m happy to have had a smooth day.”
Seixas again wore a mask as he spoke at the finish, to help avoid catching any illness. He knew that UAE had lost Brandon McNulty due to illness and that Tim Wellens also suffered to finish inside the time limit.
Sportingly Seixas said he didn’t want UAE’s Tour de France to be impacted by illness.
“I think a few riders are a bit sick on their team, it’s definitely a shame for them,” Seixas said.
“I hope Pogačar and Del Toro aren’t sick, that’s not how we want to race. But I think it will be physically tough for everyone.”
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