Alpe D'Huez Av Peter Cossins

<P>It has been called the Tour de France''s ''Hollywood climb'', and there is no doubt that Alpe d''Huez has played a starring role in cycling''s history since its first encounter with the sport back in 1952 when the legendary Fausto Coppi triumphed on the summit. Re-introduced to the Tour in 1976, Alpe d''Huez has risen to mythical status, thanks initially to a string of victories by riders from Holland, whose exploits attracted tens of thousands of their compatriots to the climb, which has become known as ''Dutch mountain''.</P>