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Frech multipe Tour de France winner Louison Bobet is riding solo on the mighty ascent Mont Ventoux at the Tour de Frwnce 1955. His wife Christiane is running alongside the road showing support for his husband.

Louison Bobet on Mont Ventoux (Tour de France 1955)

Mont Ventoux was introduced to Tour de France in 1951 (one year earlier than Alpe d’Huez and Puy de Dôme). At the first three occasions (1951, 1954 and 1955) the peloton crossed the top during  mid-race, the first summit finish was organized only in 1958. The 11th stage of the 1955 Tour de France began in Marseille and ended in Avignon, covering a distance of 198 km. Standing between them was the formidable Mont Ventoux. Louison Bobet, the reigning world champion, was the first to conquer the brutal climb and went on to win the stage. Bobet, clad in the prestigious rainbow jersey of the world champion, would later trade it for the yellow jersey… Read More »Louison Bobet on Mont Ventoux (Tour de France 1955)

Puy de Dôme Tour de France

Iconic Tour de France places: Puy de Dôme

Tour de France 2023 presented a great gift for every road cycling history fans: after 35 years Puy de Dôme was reintroduced to the race. Although the 9th stage of Tour de France 2023 was only the 14th appearance of the ascent, it became one of the most iconic places in the history road cycling thanks mainly to the epic battle between Jacques Anquetil and Raymond Poulidor in 1964. Nestled in the heart of the Massif Central in central France, Puy de Dôme is a lava dome and one of the youngest volcanoes in the Chaîne des Puys region. The ascent was introduced to Tour de France in 1952 and had frequent appearance until 1988.… Read More »Iconic Tour de France places: Puy de Dôme

Bernard Thévenet and Eddy Merckx on Mont Ventoux at Tour de France 1972

13 July 1972 Bernard Thévenet’s victory on Mont Ventoux

1972 was the second year when Bernard Thevenet rode Tour de France.  His debut in previous year was a little bit of a surprise performance, when he finished fourth in the general classification. Unfortunatelyi a crash in the 7th stage  prevented him to repeat or even surpass his result from previous year. He lost more than six minutes that day and had to go to the hospital for a health check. Luckily, he was able to continue the race. The 11th stage led up to the top of Mont Ventoux.  Eddy Merckx’s team pushed it very hard, and many rider dropped, including Thévenet.  Luis Ocaña attacked several times, but Merckx was able to chase him… Read More »13 July 1972 Bernard Thévenet’s victory on Mont Ventoux

Raymond Poulidor Tour de France 1965 Mont Ventoux

6 July 1965 Raymond Poulidor’s victory on Mont Ventoux

This was the 14th stage of that year’s Tour de France. A 173 km long route from Montpelier to the top of the Mont Ventoux. With his victory, Poulidor jumped up to the second place, but Felice Gimondi, who gained the yellow on the 9th stage (Aubisque, Tourmalet), remained in the leading position till the end of the race.

Vintage cycling image of the day: Frederico Bahamontes cresses Tourmalet at Tour de France 1954

Vintage cycling image of the day: Federico Bahamontes on Tourmalet (Tour de France 1954)

Federico Bahamontes competed at Tour de France for the first time in 1954. He was picked for the race by Julián Berredero, the director of the Spanish team already during previous summer. The 161 km long 12th stage of Tour de France 1954 between Pau and Luchon visited Tourmalet, Aspin and Peyresourde. As usual, all the three were mid-stage ascents. And it was one of the firts big challenge for the young Spaniard. He managed to arrive in the finish with Jean Malléjac and Gilbert Bauvin (the latter won the stage and claimed the yellow jersey), and became 2nd that day. The 161 km long 12th stage of Tour de France 1954 between Pau and… Read More »Vintage cycling image of the day: Federico Bahamontes on Tourmalet (Tour de France 1954)

Puy de Dôme stage at Tour de France 2023 on 9 July 2023.

Puy de Dôme is back – TDF 2023 Stage 9 (Saint-Léonard -de Noblat -Puy de Dôme)

Puy de Dôme is back on the 9th stage of Tour de France 2023. Tour de France 2023 Stage 9 9 July 2023 Saint-Léonard -de Noblat -Puy de Dôme   Click here to refresh the page Michael is the new conquerer of Puy de Dôme. 350 m Woods is heading to win the stage finishing on Puy de Dôme! 900 m Woods is about to catch Jorgenson. 2,5 km Meanwhile, Michael Woods arrives from behind, passes Powless, Burgaudeau. He is quite close to Mohoric. Jorgenson’s advantage is only 50″. Dropped a bit within a short amount of time. 3 km to go Mohoric leaves behind the other two chasers. Jorgenson is still at the front… Read More »Puy de Dôme is back – TDF 2023 Stage 9 (Saint-Léonard -de Noblat -Puy de Dôme)

Lucien van Impe and Joop Zoetemelk on the Puy de Dome Tour de France 1976

Ocaña and Zoetemelk doubled on the top of Puy de Dôme

Between 1952 and 1988 Puy de Dôme was included into the program of Tour de France 13 times. Among the winners on the top are Fausto Coppi, Felice Gimondi, Federico Bahamontes  Lucien van Impe, Luis Ocaña or Joop Zoetemelk. In fact, the two latter are those riders, who were able to win a Puy de Dôme stage twice. List of winners on the top of Puy de Dôme: 1952 Fausto Coppi 1959 Federico Bahamontes 1964 Julio Jimenez 1967 Felice Gimondi 1969 Pierre Matignon 1971 Luis Ocaña 1973 Luis Ocaña 1975 Lucien Van Impe 1976 Joop Zoetemelk 1978 Joop Zoetemelk 1983 Ange Arroyo 1986 Erich Maechler 1988 Johnny Weltz (Lead picture: Lucien Van Impe and Joop… Read More »Ocaña and Zoetemelk doubled on the top of Puy de Dôme

Fausto Coppi at the Tour de France 1952

Puy de Dôme first time at the Tour de France (1952)

1952 was an extraordinary year in the history of Tour de France, not only because the terrific performance of Fausto Coppi. But also, it was the first time, when a Tour de France stage ended on the top of the ascent: this was the legendary debut of Alpe d’Huez. The program of the 39th Tour de France included a total of three summit finishes. Besides Alpe d’Huez (10th stage) and Sestriere (11th stage),the peloton also visited Puy de Dome (21st stage) for the very first time.The first conquerer of the summit was Fausto Coppi, who won all three hilltop finish stages that year. He dominated the race so much, that after the 11th stage the organizers… Read More »Puy de Dôme first time at the Tour de France (1952)

Raymond Poulidor and Jacques Anquetil on the Puy de Dôme, Tour de France 1964

Puy de Dôme 1964 – when Raymond Poulidor was the closest to win Tour de France

The world of road cycling sometimes loves the second placed riders more than the winners. It’s especially the case of French cyclist, “The Eternal Second”, Raymond Poulidor (1936-2019), who rode Tour de France 14 times, he completed 12 of them, finished second of the general classification 3 times, and third 5 times. But he never wore the yellow jersey. (Which made the moment, when his grandson Mathieu van der Poel claimed the famous jersey in 2021 even more unique). Raymond Poulidor’s best years collided with Jacques Anquetil’s best years, their duel reached its peak at the Tour de France in 1964.1 Poulidor was more agressive, attack-friendly rider, who was good in the mountains, while Anquetil… Read More »Puy de Dôme 1964 – when Raymond Poulidor was the closest to win Tour de France

Charly Gaul on the Mont Ventoux during the individual time trial at the Tour de France 1958

Vintage cycling image of the day: Charly Gaul on Mont Ventoux

Charly Gaul won the 21 km moutain time trial up to the top of Mont Ventoux at the Tour de France 1958. Although nowadays Mont Ventoux is usually known by its legendary mountain top finishes, on its first three appearances (1951, 1952, 1955) at the Tour de France the peloton crossed the summit only during mid-race. The first opportunity for the cyclists  to triumph on the top of the ascent came in 1958. It was a 21 km long individual mountain time trial. Charly Gaul, the “Angel of the Mountains” was the fastest rider, who jumped from 6th to 3rd position in the GC. He claimed the yellow jersey a few days later and won… Read More »Vintage cycling image of the day: Charly Gaul on Mont Ventoux