After being in second for most of the day, a late race mechanical for Luca Damiani (Kenda) allowed Valentin Scherz (Cyfac) to take the victory.
(Image credit: Todd Leister/www.leisterimages.com)
The men's podium: Jerome Townsend (BikeReg.com), Adam Myerson (Cycle-Smart), Valentin Scherz (Cyfac), Craig Richey (Cyclocrossracing.com) and Adam McGrath (Van Dessel).
(Image credit: Todd Leister/www.leisterimages.com)
Valentin Scherz (Cyfac) lost contact with race leader Luca Damiani (Kenda). but luck would prove to be on his side today.
(Image credit: Todd Leister/www.leisterimages.com)
The chase group eases the pace for the moment.
(Image credit: Todd Leister/www.leisterimages.com)
The chase group strings out with one to go.
(Image credit: Todd Leister/www.leisterimages.com)
Jesse Keough (Champion systems) drives out of the corner.
(Image credit: Todd Leister/www.leisterimages.com)
The chase group winds its way through a wooded section.
(Image credit: Todd Leister/www.leisterimages.com)
Matt Spohn (Cyfac) appears to be in need of a drink.
(Image credit: Todd Leister/www.leisterimages.com)
Ryan Knapp (Bikereg.com) has lost contact with the chase group.
(Image credit: Todd Leister/www.leisterimages.com)
Christopher Consorto (Louis Garneau) sets up for a slippery turn.
(Image credit: Todd Leister/www.leisterimages.com)
Luca Damiani (Kenda) punctured late in race, received a replacement bike from Team Cyfac. which didn't have the right pedals, so he switched back to his and rode in on the flat.
(Image credit: Todd Leister/www.leisterimages.com)
Luca Damiani (Kenda) dropped Valentin Scherz (Cyfac) and drove hard to increase his lead.
(Image credit: Todd Leister/www.leisterimages.com)
Adam Myerson (Cycle-Smart) rode within the chase group and sprinted for second place.
(Image credit: Todd Leister/www.leisterimages.com)
Luca Damiani (Kenda) begins to distance himself from second place rider Valentin Scherz (Cyfac).
(Image credit: Todd Leister/www.leisterimages.com)
Luca Damiani (Kenda) leads the first lap of the race with Valentin Scherz (Cyfac) hot on his wheel.
(Image credit: Todd Leister/www.leisterimages.com)
Jerome Townsend (BikeReg.com) helped drive the chase group and took fourth place.
(Image credit: Todd Leister/www.leisterimages.com)
Lisban Quintero and teammate Gavriel Epstein (CRCA) stayed close for most of the race.
(Image credit: Todd Leister/www.leisterimages.com)
Valentin Scherz (Cyfac) and Luca Damiani (Kenda) raced neck and neck all day.
(Image credit: Todd Leister/www.leisterimages.com)
Craig Richey (Cyclocrossracing.com) participated in the chase group and took third place.
(Image credit: Todd Leister/www.leisterimages.com)
Patrick Bradley (Rutgers) tangled with the tape and lost.
(Image credit: Todd Leister/www.leisterimages.com)
Adam Szczepanski (Wissahickon) is ready to take a bite out of the competition. Happy Halloween.
(Image credit: Todd Leister/www.leisterimages.com)
Shaun Adamson (Cycle-Smart) fights with an off-cambre corner.
(Image credit: Todd Leister/www.leisterimages.com)
The chase group in pursuit of the two leaders.
(Image credit: Todd Leister/www.leisterimages.com)
Steve Fisher (RAD Racing) fights to stay intact with the chase group.
(Image credit: Todd Leister/www.leisterimages.com)
A post-race cleanup crew wonders what to do with an exhausted racer.
(Image credit: Todd Leister/www.leisterimages.com)
My best guess would be that social media has accelerated the glorification and fetishization of the Alpe d’Huez atmosphere, and more and more people are heading up with the primary focus of seeking out the hot-spots where the music is loudest, and the costumes are wildest.