My snoozing was brought to an abrupt end by an intense argument between our minivan driver and a man on the street of an undisclosed town. The shouting match was back and forth like a violent tennis match with no let-up and at full volume. 

Starting from 3300meters at the top of Pic Blanc above the iconic French Ski resort of Alpe D’Huez, descending 25 kilometers to the valley below. 2000 competitors battle through qualification to make it to the 200-rider race down the ski slope and mountain.