Stage 15 - Embrun to Prato Nevoso 113 miles
The tour organisers describe todays Hor Category climb of Col d Agnel at 9000 feet as being brutally hard and after climbing 7000 feet in the first 35 miles of the stage I can only agreee. This first day in the Alps was tough from the start but absolutely beautiful as I cycled through the Durance valley. Some amazing gorges and waterfalls with dramatic mountain peaks.
I was blessed with fine weather and after reaching the summit of Col d Agnel we lunched in our panoramic restaurant on the french / italian border. A 20 mile descent from the summit which Mark caught on camera, attached to his helmet. He nearly fell off a couple of times due to it being on his head, but a small price to pay for some excellent footage!
A further 80 miles to the next major climb up to the ski resort Prato Nevoso, with a Cat 3 climb to warm me up before the ascent really began. It was going dark as I began the Cat 1, 11 mile pull around hair pin bends to the summit, arriving just after 9pm. Mark took to his bike to provide moral support to me close to the top. The motor home illuminated my path blasting the chosen signature tune of my ride - theme of The Last of the Mohicans.
This was a long hard day and we spent the night at the ski resort.