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Legendary Belgian climbing specialist cyclist Lucien Van Impe riding solo on the Pla d'Adet at Tour de France 197z

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 Portillon and Col de Peyresourde. The stage ended on Pla d’Adet, what was visited by Tour de France for the first time in 1974. (The race returned also in the subsequent year.) Peugeot, Delisle’s team clearly didn’t intend to defend the yellow jersey on that day, thus the race was open. There was a very strong breakaway group, including Luis… Read More »10 July 1976 Lucien Van Impe takes the yellow jersey at Tour de France

Eddy Merckx Tour de France 1969

Eddy Merckx’s epic solo ride in the Pyrenees

Before the 17th stage of Tour de France 1969 Eddy Merckx’s first overall victory was almost secured. He led the general classification with more than 8 minutes. The 214, 5 km long stage between Luchon and Mourenx included the “big four” ascents of the Pyrenees: Peyresourde, Aspin, Tourmalet, Aubisque. Eddy Merckx (Faema) attacked right before the top of Tourmalet, only to collect some mountain points. A few km later he realized, that nobody went with him. Lomme Driessens, the Directeur Sportif of Faema told him to wait for the rest of the peloton. But Merckx decided differetly. It was still 105 km to go. Merckx rode it solo. He finished almost 8 minutes ahead of… Read More »Eddy Merckx’s epic solo ride in the Pyrenees