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Spanish cyclist Fernando Manzaneque ridong among snowwalls during Tour de France 1963

9 July 1963 – Fernando Manzaneque’s stage victory in the Alps

Fernando Manzaneque’s victory in the 16th stage of Tour de France 1963 isn’t intirguing because of some relation to the overall competition, but because it happened among rather extraordinary circumstances. Snow at the Tour de France is rare, but not impossible. During the 120 years of Tour de France history it happened a few times. For example, in 1996 organizers had to shorten the stage including Iseran for this very reason. On 9 July 1963 the peloton of Tour de France started the day in Grenoble and finished in Val d’Isere. Between the two towns cyclists had to climb Croix de Fer and Iseran. Manzaneque finished the stage 5 minutes and 3 seconds ahead of… Read More »9 July 1963 – Fernando Manzaneque’s stage victory in the Alps

Fernando Manzaneque on the Col d'Iseran at the Tour de France 1963

Fernando Manzaneque on the Col d’Iseran (Tour de France 1963)

Snow at the Tour de France? Yes, it happens sometimes, especially, when the race visits such high places like Col d’Iseran in the Alps. In the 16th stage of Tour de France 1963, the peloton visited the Alps. It was a 202 km long stage between Grenoble and Val d’Isere, including Col de la Croix de Fer and Col d’Iseran. The Spaniard Fernando Manzaneque won the stage ahead of Enzo Fontona and Guy Epaud. The stages in the Alps in that year delivered and epic battle between Federico Bahamontes and Jacques Anquetil. The French rider has already won Vuelta a Espana a few weeks earlier and was about to win his 4th Tour de France.… Read More »Fernando Manzaneque on the Col d’Iseran (Tour de France 1963)