#stephen roche

Today the 2025 Tour de France finishes at the ski resort of La Plagne. It’s not a finish often used, but many great riders have won there. One of them, Laurent Fignon, won twice, but La Plagne is famous for another rider, and for a voice.

The rider is Stephen Roche, and the voice of Phil Liggett. Who of a certain age cannot remember; “Who is that in the background? That looks like Stephen Roche. It is Stephen Roche.” Phil Liggett’s voice in 1987 linking La Plagne, Roche, and the Tour de France forever.

It was the 21st stage, and when Pedro Delgado attacked at the foot of La Plagne, Roche’s chances of winning overall looked in danger. They were saved by the titanic effort Roche made on this climb, and that was half calculation, half sheer guts and a tiny bit of topography.

The thing that played for Roche but played against Delgado, is the regularity of the climb. After the steep first section, by sticking to a steady, sustainable effort Roche was able to close on Delgado.

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