The Tour de France now faces the passage through Tourmalet in the course of the sixth stage, which will end in Cauterets-Cambasque, the first ascent of this edition. This is the ‘mountain’ par excellence of the Pyrenees and, along with the myth as well Alpe d’Huez, of the gala round, which this year celebrates 110 editions. Topping it off opens up a place in the golden book of racing and for the simple fan, a photo is an unforgettable memory.
The Tourmalet (2,115 meters) is a wall of about 17 kilometers located in the middle of the Pyrenees. Its average percentage is 7.4 percent and it has ramps of 10 and 12. This is the place where Federico Martin Bahamontes, the ‘Águila de Toledo’, nothing to fear.
The ‘mountain of bad returns’
The ‘mountain of evil returns’, according to the Gascon language translation, is a mountain to love, a symbolic place of worship for professionals and novices, where the epic of Touring and cycling is kept like a treasure. Also a challenge, a symbol that comes from the desire to test human limits.
The eternal relationship between the Tour and Tourmalet began in 1910, when the journalist from ‘L’Auto’ alphonse steins He went to inspect the port conditions and passed a false report to the Tour director, Henri Desgranges. “I have crossed the Tourmalet. The road is good and passable.” he lied.
Octave Pencil, in 1910, he was the first to conquer the summit of the Tourmalet, and days later he wore the yellow jersey as the winner of the Tour. This legendary runner was one of the Tour champions who gave their lives in the First World War.
The last time the Tourmalet was climbed was in 2021 and was overtaken by the Frenchman Pierre Latour.
The Spanish have crowned the Tourmalet in first place 17 times. The first of them, Vincent Trueba, in 1933; latest, David de la Fuentein 2006. Two Cantabrians opened and closed the story.
Historical Indurain
Not on that popular list Miguel Indurainalthough 22 years later his 1991 starring role is still remembered, with his fabled escape with Claudio Chiappucci on the descent of the Tourmalet towards the Val Louron which enabled him to seal a victory which he would seal in the final test. This is the first of his five consecutive Tours. A legend was born.
Other well-known national cycling names have a name in the Tourmalet’s history: Julian Berrendero, Miguel Poblet, Federico Martin Bahamontes, with 4 steps in the lead, leader of the Spaniards, Julio Jiménez, Paco Galdós, Lale Cubino….. The golden book of the Tour remembers a summit that also rewards Jacques Goddet. “The first time I went up I remember that I got loose and all the rivals were scattered around the port. Those times were very difficult, the bikes weighed twice as much as today and we hardly had any developments” , recalls Bahamontes, who crowned the Tourmalet the lead in 1954, 62, 63 and 64.
For other legendary cyclists of the time, such as Julio Jiménez, the Tourmalet “is the most famous climb, but not the most difficult. It’s more difficult to climb the Galibier or the Izoard”, he recalls. The most contemporary Spanish cyclist also remembers the Tourmalet for escaping from Laudelino Cubino in 1988, the Tour de Peter Delgadothe climax of the port of Peio Ruiz Cabestany in 1985. In fact, it is said to be the most ‘Spanish’ port in France
This Thursday the Tourmalet returns, which is no ordinary port. Legend awaits the conqueror of Tourmalet 2023.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.
