15 July 1951 Hugo Koblet’s epic solo ride at Tour de France

The 11 stage of Tour de France 1951 was a 177 km long transitional stage between the Alps and the Pyrenees. Hugo Koblet, 6th in the general classification before the stage, escaped from the peloton together with French rider Louis Deprez

with 135 km to go.

It just did not make sense for the rest of the peloton (full with the greatest legends like Fausto Coppi, Gino Bartali, Louison Bobet and may others),  thus they did not pay to much attention for this clear suicide mission.

Soon they realised it isn't a joke. Deprez dropped very soon, but Koblet had 4 minutes advantage. The favourites of the race had to start working together to stop the Swiss rider.

With 70 km to go and after the Italian riders started chasing Koblet seriously the man at the front still had 3 minutes.

But any attempt was useless on that day. As Koblet neared the finish line, still with more than 3 minutes advantage, he combed his hair to show how effortless he managed to win this race. It was the signature move of the flamboyant (and in may ways troubled) Swiss cyclist, he did it also at other events before. But surely this one was the most memorable from all of them.

But winning the stage didn't mean Koblet wold take also the yellow jersey. The leader of the general classification was still Roger Levêque since the 6th stage. Stage 12 witnessed the success of the Dutch Wim van Est, the next day his unfortunate big crash.

Koblet managed to take the yellow jersey only after another stage victory. The 14th stage visited the most iconic climbs of the Pyrennees. This was the day when Koblet took over the lead in the general classification to keep his position until Paris and won the Tour de France with 22 minutes ahead of Rafaël Géminiani.