Wout Poels of the Netherlands passes through Dutch Corner, or hairpin seven, as he climbs the infamous Alpe d'Huez (AAP) (AP)

Wout Poels of the Netherlands passes through Dutch Corner, or hairpin seven, as he climbs the infamous Alpe d'Huez (AAP) (AP) Source: AP

Dutch Corner is the best known bend of the Tour de France's most famous climb, Alpe d'Huez. It's corner No.7 of the 21 switchbacks, and always sets the race alight with noise and colour.

With eight wins from 29 ascents of the mountain in Tour history, the Dutch have claimed more stage victories on Alpe d'Huez than any other nation. A tribute to these winning riders, the seventh hairpin turn has become a phenomenon in its own right, with an expanding crowd of orange spectators surely visible from outer space.

If you haven't had a chance to witness it for yourself, take a moment to soak up the atmosphere with this collection of rider footage and fan photos. Maybe you'll plan a pilgrimage for 2016 as a result.

Australian team Orica Green-EDGE did a pretty good job of getting around not just Dutch Corner, but all the other corners that have now popped up on Alpe d'Huez over the years.

@sarahvanbo Crazy, chaotic and the most fun I've ever had on the side of the road! Today I made the pilgrimage to Alpe d'Huez and the infamous 'Dutch Corner' for the penultimate stage of the Tour de France. If you're a cycling fan, watching a mountain stage of a Grand Tour should be on your bucket list. #tdf2015 #takingthelongwayhome #cycling

More Stage 20 News Quintana hails team effort as he settles for second Some say it was too little too late for Movistar, which needed at least one more mountain stage to claw back time on Tour de France race leader Chris Froome, but the boys in blue rode a courageous campaign and will celebrate their efforts in Pairs through Stage 21. Porte feeling happy to leave Sky on a high Chris Froome may be on his way to another Tour de France victory, but one thing is for sure: without his Team Sky team-mates, he would likely be nowhere near the top of the podium. Froome 'absolutely nailed' on final test of the Tour After digging deep and finding new limits on the nail-biting ascent of Alpe d'Huez, Chris Froome emerged from the final, thrilling test of the Tour de France provisionally with his second overall victory, and his precious yellow jersey, intact.