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.
Louison Bobet leading the group of favourites on the Aubisque (Tour de France 1954)
In 1954, Louison Bobet entered the Tour de France as the reigning champion, carrying with him not only the weight of his title but also the hopes of an entire nation. The French public was eager to witness the rise of a new era in cycling, one marked by the dominance of a great French… Read More »Louison Bobet leading the group of favourites on the Aubisque (Tour de France 1954)
Antonin Magne on the Aubisque (Tour de France 1931)
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.
The start of Tour de France 1932
Although Tour de France started outside Paris for the first time in 1926, race organizers used the good old concept to start the event in Paris even during the subsequent years. Only after World War II became a custom to start Tour de France elsewhere in France. And in 1954 the race witnessed its first… Read More »The start of Tour de France 1932
Fédérico Ezquerra on the Galibier (Tour de France 1936)
Col du Galibier is one of the oldest participats among the ascents the peloton of Tour de France used to climb in the Alps. It was already part the program of the 1911 edition when the race visited the Alps for the very first time. In 1936, Col du Galibier, alongside with Thélégraphe… Read More »Fédérico Ezquerra on the Galibier (Tour de France 1936)
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… Read More »Louison Bobet on Mont Ventoux (Tour de France 1955)
What is in your bag? (Felice Gimondi and Eddy Merckx 1967)
Felice Gimondi’s cycling career is remembered for his remarkable ability to compete at the highest level during the same era as the legendary Eddy Merckx, widely regarded as one of the greatest cyclists of all time. Despite Merckx’s dominance, Gimondi achieved numerous significant victories, including all three Grand Tours—Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and Vuelta… Read More »What is in your bag? (Felice Gimondi and Eddy Merckx 1967)
Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali during Tour de France 1949
The 1949 Tour de France marked a high point in the legendary rivalry between two Italian cycling icons, Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi. Bartali had already claimed two Tour victories (1938 and 1948), while Coppi, though a three-time Giro d’Italia champion (1940, 1947, 1949), was making his Tour debut. Determined to make history, Coppi aimed… Read More »Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali during Tour de France 1949
The first individual time trial at Tour de France
It’s well known that many major road cycling races were originally created for marketing purposes, as sports newspapers saw increased sales by covering these events. However, a lesser-known story is that even the format of the individual time trial in the Tour de France was influenced by a rivalry between two newspapers. L’Auto, the daily… Read More »The first individual time trial at Tour de France
When Tour de France went abroad before 1914
Defining historical events of the 20th century often left their marks on road cycling history. Just think about, for istance, the impact of World War 1 on the mythology of some famous races, like Paris-Roubaix. The born of the famous phase of “Hell of the North” is a quite well known story among cycling fans.… Read More »When Tour de France went abroad before 1914
The years of La Sportive consortium (1919- 1921)
Although Henri Desgrange was always keen to preserve Tour de France as a competition for individuals1, cyclists who were sponsored by the same bicycle manufacture naturally worked as a team. Alcyon for example, delivered four overall victories (François Faber, 1909; Octave Lapize,1910 ; Gustave Garrigou, 1911; Odyle Defraye, 1912) before 1914 and dominated most of… Read More »The years of La Sportive consortium (1919- 1921)
The most scandalous Tour de France ever
The first Tour de France without Henri Desgrange in charge since the creation of the event in 1903 didn’t go down well in the history of road cycling at all. In 1937 Jacques Goddet was full in charge and with him came the first big change: it was the first time when gear change… Read More »The most scandalous Tour de France ever
Faces from the peloton: Victor Fontan (1892-1982)
A cyclist running while carrying his bike on his shoulder. Surely, you’ve seen this vintage cycling image several times. Now it’s time to learn a bit more about the protagonist of the picture. Victor Fontan (1892-1982) in the Faces from the peloton series of PelotonTales blog. A local rider World War I, like World War… Read More »Faces from the peloton: Victor Fontan (1892-1982)
Louison Bobet leading the group of favourites on the Aubisque (Tour de France 1954)
In 1954, Louison Bobet entered the Tour de France as the reigning champion, carrying with him not only the weight of his title but also the hopes of an entire nation. The French public was eager to witness the rise of a new era in cycling, one marked by the dominance of a great French… Read More »Louison Bobet leading the group of favourites on the Aubisque (Tour de France 1954)
Antonin Magne on the Aubisque (Tour de France 1931)
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.
17 July 1951 Wim van Est’s crash on the Aubisque
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… Read More »17 July 1951 Wim van Est’s crash on the Aubisque
16 July 1985 Pedro Delgado wins on Luz Ardiden
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… Read More »16 July 1985 Pedro Delgado wins on Luz Ardiden