The masses have arrived earlier than expected to the Oisans region for a doubleheader of mountain stages at the Tour de France. The main road connecting Bourg d'Oisans to Alpe d'Huez, RD211, was closed at 14:00 local time today, eight hours before the previously-announced closure, for motorised vehicles in the uphill direction.
RD211 is the iconic serpentine road with the 21 hairpin turns that twists up the mountain, and it is the most direct way for any delivery vehicles, resort workers and Tour visitors to access Alpe d'Huez.
Public safety official in the Isère region in collaboration with Tour organisers A.S.O. announced just this morning that the road will be shut down because of the heavy volume of vehicles on the 13.8-mile ascent.
"Due to exceptionally high traffic, the ascent of Alpe d’Huez (RD211) will be closed to all vehicles starting at the south roundabout, from this Thursday July 23 at 2 p.m. until Sunday July 26 2026 at 12 a.m. The descent from Alpe d’Huez will remain open until Thursday July 23 at 10 p.m. and from Saturday July 25 2026 at 1 a.m.," a joint press release said.
"Access to Alpe d’Huez will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists, except during the race on Friday July 24."
So, can spectators ride their bikes up the Alpe d'Huez climb on Friday morning to watch the peloton in the afternoon? No. RD211 will close to bicycles from 22:00 Thursday, July 23 to 0:00 Sunday, July 26, which was announced earlier this week.
In addition, the Col de Sarenne on the back side of the mountain will close to motorised vehicles beginning 14:00 CET Thursday to 11:00 Sunday, and the closure for bicycles begins at 18:00 Friday.
The roundabout on the south-east side of Bourg d'Oisans is the 'official start' of the climb, where D1091 intersects with RD211. The original road closure was to take place at 23:00 Thursday evening.
For residents and summer visitors who require access to Alpe d'Huez, officials confirmed that a valid identification will be required for permission to drive on RD211 Thursday afternoon and early evening, then restricted from 22:00.
For local workers employed at the mountaintop resort, are still required to access Alpe d'Huez using three gondola lifts from Allemond. These lifts will also be available to transport visitors, as outlined in a Cyclingnews overview of negotiating Alpe d'Huez travel.
An update on gondola use was part of the advisory on Thursday, saying: "These lifts will also transport passengers who have already taken a one-way trip back down throughout the day on Friday July 24 2026 and after the start of Stage 20 on Saturday July 25 2026 beginning at 1pm".
Stage 19 of the Tour of Friday begins in Gap and concludes atop Alpe d'Huez, using the on the 'front' approach with the iconic 21 switchbacks. Stage 20 on Saturday begins in Bourg d'Oisans and circles around to the back side for a new approach on Col de Sarenne and a final 14km circuit of the ski resort.
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