'Fight like a lion and fly like an eagle': Carlos Sastre's Tour de France triumph

On July 23, 2026, Carlos Sastre reflected on his pivotal victory in the 2008 Tour de France, which occurred on the iconic Alpe d'Huez. Sastre's triumph not only earned him the yellow jersey but also positioned him ahead of teammate Frank Schleck. This significant event marked a high point in his professional cycling career, and 18 years later, Sastre continues to field inquiries from journalists about his remarkable accomplishment.

"If you ask me how much it means to win on Alpe d'Huez, there's an easy way to explain that," Sastre stated. He reminisced about the sensation of crossing the summit after breaking away from the peloton at the foot of the climb, maintaining a solo ride to secure his victory. His efforts at Alpe d'Huez not only solidified his lead but set the stage for a successful time trial that would ultimately lead to his overall victory in Paris two days later.

Sastre emphasized the climb's challenging reputation, noting that it is famous for its steep gradient and consistency in slope, which poses a unique challenge for riders. "It's really tough, and rightly so, because any significant high mountain achievement in cycling needs a spectacular ascent to happen, and Alpe d'Huez certainly fits the bill," he added.

As he prepares to watch another winner claim success on the mountain, Sastre acknowledged the anticipation surrounding the stage. "This year, it obviously depends on how they tackle it, but on a short, punchy stage, for sure they'll go flat out to the foot of the climb. There'll be those going for the breakaway, while others will want some overall success, which helps to fuel the excitement." He remarked on the climb's relentless steepness, which provides out-and-out climbers an opportunity to capitalize on their strengths.

Having first scaled Alpe d'Huez during the 2001 Tour, Sastre recalled riding it about 15 times, both in solitude and amid the throngs of fans; notably, during the 2004 Tour, around 1.5 million spectators lined the ascent. "There's a really fantastic atmosphere, that's for sure, but I wouldn't say it was so different from the Tour in general. These days, things are much more widely followed than before."

Sastre's legacy endures, and his emotional recollections of that victory continue to resonate, illustrating the profound impact of that momentous climb in his life.