The Col d’Aubisque is a true veteran among the iconic ascents of the Pyrenees, steeped in cycling history and tradition. This legendary climb has been a fixture in the Tour de France since 1910, when the race ventured into the high mountains for the very first time.
On the 12th stage of Tour de France 1951 Wim van Est escaped with a small group, won the stage and took the lead in the general classification. He was the first Dutchman to wear the yellow jersey. Next day the peloton arrived in the Pyrenees. The 201 km 13th long stage between Dax and Tarbes included the mighty Col d’Aubisque. Pretty big challenge for a rider, like Wim van Est, who had never climbed a major climb before. Nevertheless, he wanted to keep the yellow jersey even after a stage like this, tried to keep up with the best climbers of the days. He had puncture and crashed a few times before cressing the… Read More »17 July 1951 Wim van Est’s crash on the Aubisque
The 17th stage of Tour de France in 1985 between Toulouse and Luz Ardiden was 209,5 km long and included also Aspin and Tourmalet. This was the very first time, that the race visited Luz Ardiden. Apparently, the main reason to include the climb into the program was its photogenic landscape. Bernard Hinault (La Vie Claire) had a crash on the 14th stage, broke his nose and suffered from bronchitis since then. On the 17th stage, while ascendig Tourmalet, the team Renault-Elf was setting the pace trying to drop Hinault. According to Pedro Delgado (Seat-Orbea), when he saw Hinault yelling at Luis Herrera (Varta–Café de Colombia–Mavic), he decided to attack. Greg LeMond (La Vie Claire),… Read More »16 July 1985 Pedro Delgado wins on Luz Ardiden
Although José Manuel Fuente considered one of the greatest climbers of all time, it might be a vit surprising, that he won only two stages at Tour de France. Both of them in 1971. This was Fuentes’s very first Tour de France, and he showed a cery good form, also an attack-friendly behaviour. In the 11th stage, when Luis Ocaña finished first on the top of Orcieres-Merlette and took over the lead, Fuente’s move motivated the other Spaniard to attack. Sadly, Ocaña was the protagonist also of the story of Stage 14, because this was the day, when he crashed badly downhill on Col de Menté and had to abandon the race. The 214,5 km… Read More »12-13 July 1971 José Manuel Fuente’s back to back stage victories in the Pyrenees
Luis Ocaña was considered one of the favourites of Tour de France 1971. after his stellar performance on Orciere-Merlette in the 11. stage he became THE favorite of the race. Ocaña led the general classification with more than 8 minutes ahead of Joop Zoetemelk, while defending champion Eddy Merckx rode more than 9 minutes behind. The 14th stage was the first day in the Pyrenees. Three major ascents, Port d’Aspet, Col de Menté and Col du Portillion were in the program of the day.José Manuel Fuente escaped from the breakaway group while climbing the Port d’Aspet. Meanwhile in the group of the favourites Eddy Merckx attacked several times unsuccesfully.The weather stsrted worsening on the Col… Read More »12 July 1971 – Luis Ocana’s crash on Col de Menté
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
Horquette d’Ancizan has a short history regarding its appearances at Tour de France. 2022 Thibaut Pinot (FRA) 2019 Simon Yates (GBR) 2016 Chris Froome (GBR) 2013 Daniel Martin (IRL) 2011 Laurent Mangel (FRA) Horquette d’Ancizan will part of the program Tour de France 2024.
Unfortunately, Col de Menté, a mountain pass in the central Pyrenees is well-known because of the tragic stories happened there during the Tour de France. In 1971, a nasty crash on the descent of Col de Menté ended Luis Ocaña’s dreams of winning the Tour de France that year. (Nevertheless, Ocaña managed to win Tour de France two years later.) In 1995 Col de Menté was part of the infamous 15th stage, when Fabio Casartelli crashed on the descent of Col de Portet d’Aspet. 2020 Benoit Cosnefroy (FRA) 2017 Michael Matthews (AUS) 2013 Tom Danielson (USA) 2012 Thomas Voeckler (FRA) 2007 Juan Manuel Gárate (ESP) 2005 Erik Dekker (NED) 2003 Richard Virenque (FRA) 2001 Laurent… Read More »Col de Menté at Tour de France
A Tour de France stage in the Pyrenees (especially, when it includes the big four, Peyresourde, Auspin, Aubisque and Tourmalet) always provides stories to tell. Belgian rider Felicien Vervaecke won the mountain competition of Tour de France twice, in 1935 and 1937. Before the 16th stage (Peyresourde, Tourmalet, Aspin, Aubisque) in 1936, he was 4 minutes behind his teammate Sylvère Maes in the GC. But bad luck prevented him to maintain this position. First his bicycle broke, and he had to convince a spectator to lend his. Then he suffered a flat tire, and Tour officials forced him to wait for the reserve car. Antonin Magne, the actual third in the GC passed him. When… Read More »Felicien Vervaecke’s bad luck (Tour de France 1936)
The 10th stage between Luchon and Bayonne was 326 km long and included the big four: Tourmalet, Col d’Aspin, Col d’Aubisque and Peyresourde. The stage was won by Octave Lapize