Tour de France enters the Alps - James Cove, The French Alps
Saturday July 10, 2010 - Email this article to a friend

Despite the drama of the various crashes this week, expect bigger  action this weekend

The mountain stages are usually where the race is won and lost. 

It is unlikely it will be the case this year here in the French Alps as the more testing times will come in the Pyrenees in the final stages of the race.

Nevertheless this weekend will be fascinating to see who comes out on top. 

Lance Armstrong, the 7-times winner, is down the field and Alberto Contador, last year's winner, says he can't wait for the mountains.

For 37-year old Armstrong this is his last Tour.

The atmosphere is building. 

"I live in a sleepy little village in the Jura mountains with just 1,000 inhabitants and this year Le Tour passes through," one young woman told me.

"We have been looking forward to it ever since it was announced and we may never see it again for a generation."

Enthusiastic crowds

The passion of people about Le Tour can not be underestimated.

The racers finish the stage this weekend in the ski resorts of Morzine/Avoriaz and the atmosphere is fantastic.

We interviewed the director of the Morzine Tourist Office, Muad Chavanne, earlier in the year about what the race means for the Portes du Soleil ski area.

See the video below.

So, what about the race itself as the first week draws to an end?

Armstrong is in his worst ever position at the moment, 18^th, but expect some developments; probably on Sunday when the race reaches Morzine/Avoriaz.

His name is still the biggest drawHe is 50 seconds behind Contador who is well placed in 9^th position.

The hilly seventh stage on Saturday is a 165.5km ride with the final section a relatively easy 14km climb to the Les Rousses ski area.

Sunday is more likely to be a mountain thriller as the race hits the Alps proper with the very difficult Col de La Ramaz.

One factor will be the weather as it is sultry and hot here in the Alps and there is distinct possibility of some localised thunderstorms too.

It should be quite a weekend.

We will will let you know how it all goes.

For the full details of the race and the results see this story on BBC Sport.

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