Tour returns to Alpe d'Huez with back-to-back summit stages

ORCIERES-MERLETTE, France, July 23 : Alpe d'Huez will host consecutive summit finishes on Friday and Saturday, as the Tour de France's intense Alpine trilogy concludes, with the general classification at stake.The Tour returns to Alpe d'Huez for the first time in four years, when Britain's Tom Pidcock claimed victory in 2022. Organisers have increased the challenge by scheduling back-to-back stages finishing at the summit, each with unique approaches."The race finishes twice at Alpe d'Huez, from different approaches. Some riders thrive on this kind of challenge. I think we'll see a battle between the top contenders for the general classification," said the race organisers' sports director Gilles Maignan.The 19th stage on Friday will be relatively short with a 127.9-km ride from Gap. The fi