There is a simple reason, why Alpe d'Huez was introduced to the Tour de France only in 1952, while the race visited the Alps since 1911 frequently: there is only one way up to the top, hence the stage must be finished there.
But the concept of a hilltop finish wasn't born yet.
Indeed, the 10th stage in 1952, finishing on Alpe d'Huez was the first time in the history of Tour de France, when the riders crossed the finish line on the top of a climb and not in a town in a valley nearby.
Thanks to the new experience, both for the riders and the audience, Alpe d'Huez became a big hit instantly.
Another reason, why the ascent with the famous 21 hairpins has got a unique place in the mythology of Tour de France, that 1952 was the first year, when motorcyclie television crews went to the Tour de France. Thus the audience experienced the race the new way, how Tour de France was never seen before.
At last, but not at least, Fausto Coppi was the winner of the stage, the absolute superstar of the season, who dominated the race so clearly, the organizers had to double the prize money for the other places in the general classification.
Miguel Angel Lopez conquers Col de la Loze (Tour de France retrospective -TDF 2020)
Col de la Loze was introduced to Tour de France in the 17th stage in 2020. The day delivered a Pog&Rog Show, a Lopez solo and a suddenly disappearing Bahrain-McLaren “suicide squad”. The 2 minutes gap between the three breakaway riders (Julian Alaphilippe, Richard Carapaz, Gorka Izagirre) and the peloton at foot of the 21… Read More »Miguel Angel Lopez conquers Col de la Loze (Tour de France retrospective -TDF 2020)
Fédérico Ezquerra on the Galibier (Tour de France 1936)
Col du Galibier is one of the oldest participats among the ascents the peloton of Tour de France used to climb in the Alps. It was already part the program of the 1911 edition when the race visited the Alps for the very first time. In 1936, Col du Galibier, alongside with Thélégraphe… Read More »Fédérico Ezquerra on the Galibier (Tour de France 1936)
20 July 1986 Tour de France visits Col du Granon
The 190 km long stage between Gap and Serre Chevalier included Col du Vars, Col d’Izoard and it was the first time the race visited Col du Granon. Before the stage Bernard Hinault (La Vie Claire) led the general classification, but he dropped on the Col d’Izoard. He was suffering from an old knee injury.… Read More »20 July 1986 Tour de France visits Col du Granon
19 July 1977 Lucien Van Impe ‘s crash on Alpe d’Huez
Thank you for being a devoted reader of PelotonTales. You are the reason why it’s worth spending so many hours to create new content and trying to improve this website. If you would show appreciation to my work, please consider supporting the blog with a small donation. Thank you! One of the oddest images from… Read More »19 July 1977 Lucien Van Impe ‘s crash on Alpe d’Huez
10 July 1976 Lucien Van Impe takes the yellow jersey at Tour de France
Lucien Van Impe was second in the general classification with 2 ‘ 41″ behind Raymond Delisle before the 14th stage of Tour de France 1976. The program of the day on the 10th of July 1976 was a 139 km long route in the Pyrenees between Saint-Gaudens and Saint-Larry-Soulan, including Col de Menté, Col du… Read More »10 July 1976 Lucien Van Impe takes the yellow jersey at Tour de France
Cyclists meet a local inhabitant during Tour de France 1925
During the first few decades in the history of Tour de France, mountain routes were kind of “terrae incognitae”, uncharted territories. We all know the story when Alphonse Steniès persuaded Henri Desgrange to include Tourmalet in the program of Tour de France 1910. He was struggling even to find a car driver, a local guide… Read More »Cyclists meet a local inhabitant during Tour de France 1925
Eddy Merckx on Blockhaus (Giro d’Italia 1967)
Every road cycling legend, every great champion has that first epic moment that defines their career. The moment that takes everyone by surprise, yet deep down, everyone knows this cyclist was always capable to do it. In 1967 Eddy Merckx was already a two-time Milano-Sanremo champion, after he repeated his success in previous year. He… Read More »Eddy Merckx on Blockhaus (Giro d’Italia 1967)
Horquette d’Ancizan at Tour de France
Horquette d’Ancizan has a short history regarding its appearances at Tour de France. 2022 Thibaut Pinot (FRA) 2019 Simon Yates (GBR) 2016 Chris Froome (GBR) 2013 Daniel Martin (IRL) 2011 Laurent Mangel (FRA) Horquette d’Ancizan will part of the program Tour de France 2024.