Although smaller climbs were parts of the program since the beginning, and both the Pyrenees (1910) and the Alps (1911) were intruduced to the race during the pre-WW1 period, there were no hilltop finishes at the Tour de France till 1952.
Alpe d’Huez ( in the Western Alps) was a ski station in the first half of the 20th century. But a local artist, Jean Barbaglia had the idea, that it would be a great place for a cycling race too. He persuaded one of the hotel owners to lobby the Tour de France organizers: it migh be worth to try something new out.
Up to Alpe d’Huez there was only one road, therefore a stage couldn’t end anywhere else, only on the top of the hill.
And the idea of “hilltop finish” was born.
The 10th stage of the Tour de France 1952 ended with the vistory of Fausto Coppi. Jen Robic attacked at the foot of the hill, only Coppi could follow him. Soon Robic dropped and Coppi delivered a solo victory on this historical day.
The program of Tour de France 1952 included three hilltop finishes. Besides Alpe d’Huez (10 th stage), also Sestriere (11th stage) and Puy de Dôme (21st stage). Fausto Coppi won all of them.
More Tour de France fun facts:
Alpe d’Huez appearances at the Tour de France
Although its introduction to the Tour de France in 1952, made Alpe d’Huez an instant classic, the race visited the famous ascent again only 24 years later. Listo of winners on the top of Alpe d’Huez 1952 Fausto Coppi 1976 Joop Zoetemelk 1977 Hennie Kuiper 1978 Hennie Kuiper 1979 Joaquim Agostinho 1979 Joop Zoetemelk 1981 … Read more
Giro d’ Italia -Tour de France doubles
Fausto Coppi was the first rider to win the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de France in the same year (1949) The list of the riders Fausto Coppi (ITA) 1949 Fausto Coppi (ITA) 1952 Jacques Anquetil (FRA) 1964 Eddy Merckx (BEL) 1970 Eddy Merckx (BEL) 1972 Bernard Hinault (FRA) 1982 Bernard Hinault (FRA) 1985 Miguel … Read more
When Tour de France visited Italy
In 2024, for the first time in its history, Tour de France will start from Italy. But the race visited already the neighbour country several times already. Of course, mostly during mountain stages in the Alps. Take a look at the list of occasions. 1948 Marseille — San Remo (Gino Sciardis) 1949 Briançon – Aoste … Read more
Col d’Allos at Tour de France
Col d’Allos was part of the program of Tour de France since the race visited the Alps for the very first time in 1911. Especially during the 1920s and the 1930s was very popular. In the second half of the 20th century it was used muvh more rarely. 1911: François Faber 1912: Octave Lapize 1913: … Read more
More Alpe d’Huez related articles on PelotonTales
Winning at Alpe d’Huez in yellow jersey
Although since its introduction to the Tour de France in 1952, Alpe d’Huez witnessed several pivotal moments of the race, especially regarding the fate of the yellow jersey and the overal victory, it happened only in 2018 for the very first time, that a current yellow jersey wearer cyclist won the stage on the top … Read more
19 July 1977 Lucien Van Impe ‘s crash on Alpe d’Huez
One of the oddest images from the history of Tour de France pictures Lucien Van Impe after the crash with a motobike on Alpe d’Huez on 19th July 1977. The Belgian cyclist won the Tour de France in 1976, and had a chance to repeat his success in the subsequent year. Before the 17th stage … Read more
5 iconic Alpe d’Huez moments
With its introduction to Tour de France in 1952, Alpe d’Huez became one the most iconic ascents of the race instantly. Although it has a shorter history than the big giants like Col du Galibier or Col d’Izoard, there are plenty moments worth to remember. Let’s see five really iconic moments from the common history … Read more
Bernard Hinault and Greg LeMond on the top of L’Alpe d’Huez (Tour de France 1986)
Alpe d’Huez witnessed plenty of legendary moments since its introduction to the Tour de France in 1952. One of them is the famous 18th stage in 1986, when Bernard Hinault and Greg LeMond reached the top hand in hand.