Getting the shot: Vingegaard on Alpe d’Huez with a Danish touch

Getting the shot: Vingegaard on Alpe d’Huez with a Danish touch

James Startt explains how he got his shot of the day on Alpe d'Huez

Photos: James Startt Tour de France Words: James Startt

The Alpe d’Huez is many things to the world of cycling, but it is one complicated day for photographers. This year, the first time the Tour de France has visited this historic climb since Covid, saw the fans back in force. After all it is the fans that make this climb. 

While they assure an ambiance all their own, the crowds make tackling the Alpe d'Huez a harrowing experience for everyone in the race. And I know that even with the benefit of a motorcycle, my options are limited on this crazy climb. Positioning in front of a rider is always complicated and opportunities to pass are few and far between. 

Making matters worse, I was frustrated much of the day as I felt I was shooting on the back foot over the Galibier and Croix de Fer climbs, reacting too late and simply not anticipating situations as you must in this game.

Stopping on the descent of the Croix de Fer for a panoramic shot of the peloton riding past a mountain lake, I nearly missed getting to the Alpe d’Huez before the race hit the climb as there was sheer chaos behind the pack with team cars frantically trying to feed riders before the final climb. Finally getting permission to pass three kilometers before Bourg d’Oisans, the village situated at the foot of the climb, I raced to get up to the breakaway before they hit the opening slopes, and barely managed to get in front of the race before the crowds made it impossible to pass. 

Once ahead, I shot what I could of Tom Pidcock pacing his way to a stunning solo victory. But I knew dropping back to the yellow jersey group was now impossible. 

Instead I told my motorcycle driver to bolt ahead as there is a corner where I often work. Hairpin four turned out to be even better this year as a number of Danish fans packed the turn in hopes of getting a glimpse of their new hero Jonas Vingegaard in his newly acquired yellow jersey. Needless to say the mood was frantic, and it only intensified as the helicopter over the yellow jersey group approached. 

Fortunately a space between two camper vans in the corner allowed me to see the yellow jersey approach. Panning with a slow shutter speed and a fill flash so that the background blurred, I fired two frames as Vingegaard sped by and nearly got taken down by a Danish fan in viking attire! At first I feared that he had ruined my shot. Instead he kind of makes it, or at least adds a level of intensity and it was clear that this would be my shot of the day. 

It saved an otherwise frustrating day. But the hairpin number four always does me right on the Alpe d’Huez. 

Equipement :

Nikon D5

Nikon 24mm-70mm (set at 24mm)

Shutter speed : 1/250 

Aperture : F 11

ISO : 320

Photos: James Startt Tour de France Words: James Startt

READ MORE

Nick Schultz: Everyone needs to stop standing on the start line thinking Pogačar is untouchable

Nick Schultz: Everyone needs to stop standing on the start line thinking Pogačar is untouchable

The Israel-Premier Tech rider was one of the few to outsmart the world champion in 2024 - he argues teams need to start trying different...

Read more
‘What’s happened has changed my life’: Marta Cavalli is on a mission to overcome fear

‘What’s happened has changed my life’: Marta Cavalli is on a mission to overcome fear

The Italian rider has moved teams after fours years with FDJ-Suez to Picnic PostNL, can she get back to her best? Does that really matter?

Read more
Tom Pidcock: Back and better than ever at Q36.5 Pro Cycling?

Tom Pidcock: Back and better than ever at Q36.5 Pro Cycling?

The British rider is proving that his controversial departure from the Ineos Grenadiers has paid dividends when it comes to his performance

Read more
Arvid de Kleijn

Gymnastics, living with parents, and high expectations: Sprinter Arvid de Kleijn is a self-made pro

The Dutch cyclist has proved that with patience and persistence, dreams do come true 

Read more
Turning a corner: Is the Ineos Grenadiers's flurry of victories a sign of things to come?

Turning a corner: Is the Ineos Grenadiers's flurry of victories a sign of things to come?

Wins from Egan Bernal, Michał Kwiatkowski, and Josh Tarling have delivered the team's most prolific months since June last year – but can it propel...

Read more
Fabio Jakobsen: This is how you make sprints safer

Fabio Jakobsen: This is how you make sprints safer

As the first big sprints battles of the year take place at the UAE Tour, Picnic PostNL’s Fabio Jakobsen has an idea of how to...

Read more

READ RIDE REPEAT

JOIN ROULEUR TODAY

Get closer to the sport than ever before.

Enjoy a digital subscription to Rouleur for just £4 per month and get access to our award-winning magazines.

SUBSCRIBE