Images of the Tour de France’s Most Legendary Roads

The Tour de France is often decided in the Alps. This year, American favorite Tejay Van Garderen pulled out on stage 17, while in third place, citing the effects of a respiratory illness. Meanwhile, 2014 Giro d’Italia winner Nairo Quintana and 2014 Tour victor Vincenzo Nibali surged to chip away at Chris Froome’s lead. Neither, however, was able to unseat the Sky rider who took home his second Tour de France title on Sunday. What follows are some of our favorite images from these iconic mountains.

To check out the complete photo essay, visit Strava’s site.

Photo: In the Tour’s third week, only the race’s best climbers such as Quintana, Alejandro Valverde, and Nibali were able keep up with the yellow jersey of Froome.

The fractured peloton makes its way up the Lacets de Montvernier climb during stage 18.

A group of skiers stationed right before the final climb of the Lacets de Montvernier on stage 18.

American Andrew Talansky making his attack on the uneven, narrow descent of the Col d’Allos on stage 17.

Three riders descend from the Col de la Croix de Fer on stage 19. Racers often reached speeds of more than 50 miles per hour on descents through the Alps.