Cycling in the mountains in the 1920s

Jean Alavoine on the Col d’Aspin (Tour de France 1922)

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French cyclist Jean Alavoine in the center of attention of the spectators on Col d'Aspin atthe Tour de France 1922

Jean Alavoine (1888-1943)  had a very good Tour de France in 1922. He won three stages, two of them in the Pyrenees and thanks to his great performance, he was wearing the yellow jersey for five days. Col d’Aspin was part of the program of the 6th stage alongside with Aubisque and Peyresourde, as usual. … Read more

Ottavio Bottecchia on the Izoard (Tour de France 1925)

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Ottavio Bottecchia on the Col d'Izoard in 13th stage of Tour de France 1925

Col d’Izoard was introduced to Tour de France in 1922. It seems to have been the new favourite of the organizers, they put it in the program also in the next 5 years. (And it is still one of the most used ascent in the history of Tour de France) Ottavio Bottecchia might have been … Read more