Criterium du Dauphine – Stage 8 – Beyond Horizon Media

The helicopter.

Besides the raucous crowd, the endless stream of team cars and VIPs coming up the mountain, and the TV feed, the helicopter is the first huge indicator you aren’t in the States anymore. Imagine thousands of screaming fans that you can barely hear as the TV helicopter crests the horizon just seconds before the stage winner appears. It is a whole different experience.

Stage 8 of the 2023 Criterium du Dauphine finished atop La Bastille, a hilltop fort overlooking Grenoble. There were only a few ways up the mountain: 1) the Cat 1 climb the rider’s would follow, 2) a roughly 5k long hike with lots of vertical through the walls of the fort (very cool!), and 3) the Grenoble Telepherique – a picturesque cable car from downtown Grenoble to the top of La Bastille. Having done the hike twice before during the weekend, a third trip with camera gear seemed like a step too far. Plus, accredited media got to ride the “Bubbles” for free. Win, win.

The Bubbles are the easiest way up the mountain, and definitely the most picturesque.

This was the last stage of the Dauphine and the race had blown up with all the climbing on the day. The Dauphine and the Tour de Suisse are the primary tune up races for the Tour de France, so it is commonplace to see TDF General Classification contenders put on a show at times during the race. At other times, they are more withdrawn. This is still training after all. The climb to La Bastille was relatively short but quite steep with many pitches above 10%. Stage 8 was a big climbing day, so the length was more than enough to blow the field to bits.

The penultimate hairpin on the way up to La Bastille.

Giulio Ciccone was first to cross the line about 10 seconds after the helicopter appeared. He offered a pretty solid victory salute that was welcomed by the small group of photographers (6 or so) at the finish line. Jonas Vingegaard, the 2022 Tour de France winner, crossed the line in second to secure the overall yellow jersey. He didn’t offer much emotion, apparently it’s in poor form to celebrate a nice hard training ride? Shrug.

I’ll give Giulio a 7/10 on the celebration. 10/10 would’ve included a second pose…

Jonas looked like he had had enough of his VO2 Max training.

Fan favorite Julian Alaphilippe celebrated his birthday atop La Bastille. He’s clearly a French favorite. I counted dozens of signs wishing him a happy birthday or otherwise just declaring French affection.