12-13 July 1971 José Manuel Fuente’s back to back stage victories in the Pyrenees

Although José Manuel Fuente considered one of the greatest climbers of all time, it might be a vit surprising, that he won only two stages at Tour de France. Both of them in 1971.

This was Fuentes's very first Tour de France, and he showed a cery good form, also an attack-friendly behaviour. In the 11th stage, when Luis Ocaña finished first on the top of Orcieres-Merlette and took over the lead, Fuente's move motivated the other Spaniard to attack.

Sadly, Ocaña was the protagonist also of the story of Stage 14, because this was the day, when he crashed badly downhill on Col de Menté and had to abandon the race.

The 214,5 km long stage between Revel and Luchon in the Pyrenees, included Portet d'Aspet, Menté and Portillion. Fuentes rode away from his fellow breakaway riders on the Portet d'Aspet. When he climbed Col de Menté, the weather started worsening, but he managed to finish his solo at the head of the race and won the stage.

The big dramas of the day happened behind him.

On the next day, when there was no yellow jersey in the peloton, because Merckx, who after Ocana's crash became the leader of the general classification, refused to wear it, the peloton had to ride only 19,6km, a supershort stage up Superbagnéres.

Fuente attacked with six km to go and won the stage.