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Tour de France Famous Climbs

What would be the Tour de France without its famous climbs?

Tourmalet Tour de France 1937
Tourmalet, Tour de France 1937

The question is not entirely theoretical. Just remember, the Pyrenees was introduced to the race in 1910, the Alps one year later.

But since then, the famous ascent, like Tourmalet, Aspin, Aubisque, Izoard, Galibier, Mont Ventoux , Alpe d’Huez, Puy de Dôme etc, are the places of epic battles, iconic cycling moments.

Charly Gaul wins the time trial on Mont Ventoux 1958
Charly Gaul on Mont Ventoux (Tour de France 1958)

The category Tour de France famous clims provides several epic stories, fun facts, iconic cycling images. PelotonTales is a blog of great cycling stories.

Take a look at the posts kf the category!

 

Iconic cycling images and iconic cycling places: Jacques Anquetil and Raymond Poulidor on the Puy de Dôme in 1964

Jacques Anquetil and Raymond Poulidor on the Puy de Dôme

According to the latest rumors, Tour de France will return to Puy de Dôme in 2023. Tour de France visited Puy de Dôme last time in 1988. Since the construction of a track railway and due to the very narrow road, it was told for many many years, that the return of the race to this iconic place is almost impossible. Now, it looks like, the impossible is going to be possible in next July. The iconic picture of Jacques Anquetil and Raymond Poulidor was taken on the 20th stage in 1964. Before the stage, Jacques Anquetil led the general classification with 56″ ahead of Raymond Poulidor, meanwhile third placed Federico Bahamontes was aready more… Read More »Jacques Anquetil and Raymond Poulidor on the Puy de Dôme

Tour de France 1970 Stage 14 Eddy Merckx wims the stage on the top of the Mont Ventoux

Eddy Merckx on Mont Ventoux (Tour de France 1970)

Defending champion, Eddy Merckx won the 14th stage of Tour de France  up to the Mont Ventoux on the 10th July 1970. This was Merckx’s 6th stage victory from  the total of 8 stage wins at the Tour de France 1970. He took the yellow jersey on the 6th stage and never let it out of his hands. He won the Tour de France with 12 min and 41 sec ahead of Joop Zoetemelk. During the active cycling years of Eddy Merckx, Tour de France visited Mont Ventoux twice. Besides 1970, the second occasion happened in 1972, when Bernard Thévénet won the 11th stage arriving on the top of the famous “windy mountain”. Merckx, already… Read More »Eddy Merckx on Mont Ventoux (Tour de France 1970)

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

Charly Gaul on the Mont Ventoux (Tour de France 1958)

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 time a stage to finish at the top happened 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 the Tour de France… Read More »Charly Gaul on the Mont Ventoux (Tour de France 1958)