Famous Grand Tour Climbs

The iconic ascents of the three Grand Tours (Giro d’Italia, Tour de France, Vuelta Espana).

Puy de Dôme (Iconic places #2)

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Puy de Dôme Tour de France

Tour de France 2023 presented a great gift for every road cycling history fans: after 35 years Puy de Dôme was reintroduced to the race. Although the 9th stage of Tour de France 2023 was only the 14th appearance of the ascent, it became one of the most iconic places in the history road cycling … Read more

6 July 1965 Raymond Poulidor’s victory on Mont Ventoux

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Raymond Poulidor Tour de France 1965 Mont Ventoux

This was the 14th stage of that year’s Tour de France. A 173 km long route from Montpelier to the top of the Mont Ventoux. With his victory, Poulidor jumped up to the second place, but Felice Gimondi, who gained the yellow on the 9th stage (Aubisque, Tourmalet), remained in the leading position till the … Read more

Fiorenzo Magni and the Giro d’Italia 1956

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Famous black and withe image of Italian cyclist Fiorenzo Magni, holding an inner tube between his teeth during the Giro d'Italia in 1956

You might have always wondered what is that strange picture of Fiorenzo Magni holding something between his teeth with an heroic effort displayed on his face. As most of the legendary cycling images, this one has its extraordinary backstory too. According to the pre-race predictions, Giro d’Italia 1956 was dubbed as the fight between the … Read more

Bartali and Coppi together in the Dolomites (Giro d’Italia 1940)

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Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi on the Passo Pordoi at the Giro d'Italia 1940

Vitange cycling  image of the day on PelotonTales: Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi in the Dolomites at Giro d’Italia 1940. Before Giro d’Italia 1940, Gino Bartali was already two-time Giro d’Italia (1936, 1937) and one-time Tour de France (1938) winner. He was the leader of the Legnano team in 1940, but had an ambicious and … Read more

Charly Gaul on the Monte Bondone (Giro d’Italia 1956)

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Iconic snow images at the Giro d'Italia Charly Gaul on the Monte Bondone 1956

Cycling in extreme weather: Charly Gaul on the famous stage 20 up to Monte Bondone at the Giro d’Italia 1956   Race director Vincenzo Torriani was asked to cancel the stage due to the rough weather conditions were forecasted. But he declined it, he may have thought, this could make the unexciting race exciting again. … Read more

Aldo Moser on the Stelvio (Giro d’Italia 1965)

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Passo dello Stelvio (Stelvio Pass) is a 2757 m high pass in the Alps. The ascent was introduced to the Giro d’Italia in 1953. That stage was won by Fausto Coppi

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Eddy Merckx on Mont Ventoux (Tour de France 1970)

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Tour de France 1970 Stage 14 Eddy Merckx wims the stage on the top of the Mont Ventoux

Defending champion, Eddy Merckx won the 14th stage of Tour de France  up to the Mont Ventoux on the 10th July 1970. This was Merckx’s 6th stage victory from  the total of 8 stage wins at the Tour de France 1970. He took the yellow jersey on the 6th stage and never let it out … Read more

Iconic Places: Monte Zoncolan

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Although Monte Zoncolan is one of the most epic places of the Giro d’Italia, young cyclingfans might be surprised, that it was introduced to the race only in 2003.

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