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Tour de France Femmes: Demi Vollering takes yellow jersey on Tourmalet – as it happened

Demi Vollering looks the favourite for overall glory after besting her rivals on the Tourmalet to win stage seven

  • 29 Jul 2023 Tour de France Femmes: Demi Vollering climbs to stage win and yellow jersey
  • 29 Jul 2023 The top 10 on General Classification
  • 29 Jul 2023 Top five in stage seven
  • 29 Jul 2023 Vollering wins stage seven!
  • 29 Jul 2023 Vollering catches Niewiadoma
  • 29 Jul 2023 Marianne Vos has abandoned on the Col d'Aspin
  • 29 Jul 2023 Margot Pompanon takes 20pts in the intermediate sprint
  • 29 Jul 2023 Elisa Longo Borghini and Elisa Balsamo are out of the Tour
  • 29 Jul 2023 Liane Lippert has crashed
  • 29 Jul 2023 Racing has begun on stage seven
  • 29 Jul 2023 Stage seven is underway!
  • 29 Jul 2023 Who’s in what jersey?
  • 29 Jul 2023 Emma Norsgaard holds off pack to win stage six of Tour de France Femmes
  • 29 Jul 2023 Stage seven: Lannemezan to Tourmalet Bagnères-de-Bigorre (89.8km)

Demi Vollering celebrates as she crosses the line to win on the Col du Tourmalet, jumping from seventh to first in the general classification before Sunday’s decisive time trial.

Tour de France Femmes: Demi Vollering climbs to stage win and yellow jersey

Stage seven report: Demi Vollering took a spectacular and career-defining win at the summit of the Col du Tourmalet in the Pyrenees, to take over the lead in the Tour de France Femmes , with only Sunday’s 22km time trial remaining.

Thanks for following what was a dramatic stage seven of the Tour de France Femmes . What a finish! The Col du Tourmalet did not disappoint. I’ll leave you with these words from Alan who emailed in: “Great finale!! Tomorrow should be a burner!!!”

The top 10 on General Classification

Demi Vollering (SD Worx) 24hr 48min 10sec

Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM) +1min 50sec

Annemiek van Vleuten (Movistar) +2min 28sec

Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) +2min 35sec

Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (AG Soudal-Quickstep) +2min 39sec

Juliette Labous (DSM–Firmenich) +3min 41sec

Ane Santesteban González (Jayco-AlUla) +6min 23sec

Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ-Suez) +6min 42sec

Ricarda Bauernfeind (Canyon-SRAM) +7min 42sec

Amanda Spratt (Lidl-Trek) +8min 18sec

Van Vleuten speaks … The Movistar rider says she’s disappointed and was hoping to have a better day. “I didn’t have my best day out there… but I had full confidence to go, that’s why I went on the Col d’Aspin. If I’d had a really good day, it was the best plan to make it hard from [there]. But yeah, I didn’t have a good day so I had to pay the price at the top.”

What did you say to Vollering on the descent and why didn’t you ride together? “She didn’t want to ride. So, I said if you don’t ride then I also don’t ride. But she also had a point, she had two teammates behind. For me, the goal to attack on Col d’Aspin was not to drop everyone there, it was more to do a first effort but maybe in the end, it was not so smart for the shape I was in today. But you never know that and I always like to race with my heart and you always have to focus on your strengths.” Asked about her time gap on the GC, van Vleuten says: “I’m here to win the Tour de France and not to come second, third or maybe fourth, to be honest … It’s obvious that Demi Vollering was another level today.”

Top five in stage seven

1. Demi Vollering (SD Worx) 2. Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM) 3. Annemiek van Vleuten (Movistar) 4. Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (AG Soudal-Quickstep) 5. Juliette Labous (DSM–Firmenich)

Niewiadoma speaks… she’s sat on the floor trying to catch her breath and says she’s so happy that all the work she did in her training camp has paid off. Vollering interrupts to shake her hand and call her “super strong”. Niewiadoma replies:“You too girl.”

“I saw how they [Vollering and van Vleuten] were competing with each other, so in Polish we have this saying that ‘if the two are fighting, the third one is winning’. So, I was hoping [for] them to get involved with themselves and to look for my own opportunity. The pity was the group behind got back … I just didn’t want to go back to the group, I knew that I preferred to keep my own pace and that I feel mentally stronger when I’m on my own.”

Vollering wins stage seven!

Vollering raises her arms as she crosses the line and takes the stage win. She’s not only truimphant on the iconic Tourmalet, but she’s also taken the maillot jaune from her teammate, Kopecky. Remember, she was also given a 20sec penalty earlier this week.

Demi Vollering celebrates as she crosses the line to win on the Col du Tourmalet.

300m to go: Niewiadoma is 1min 20sec behind Vollering. The SD Worx rider gets out of the saddle for one final push towards the finish line.

1km to go: Vollering is either grimacing or smiling. The Tourmalet is tough but look at the support out there. It looks like a great atmosphere … from what you can see through the fog. She passes through the flamme rouge.

2km to go: There’s a clip of Vollering’s attack below, if you want to examine it in more detail/see it again.

🇳🇱 @demivollering attacks the @MaillotjauneLCL group! Attaque de 🇳🇱 @demivollering ! #TDFF2023 #WatchTheFemmes @GoZwift pic.twitter.com/dN3PrtFQh4 — Le Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift (@LeTourFemmes) July 29, 2023

3km to go: Vollering has a 1min 40sec gap to the yellow jersey group. Niewiadoma is about 40sec behind Vollering and is grimacing as she pushes again and again. You can see the pain on van Vleuten’s face as the crowds cheer her on.

Vibes on the Tourmalet 🤌 pic.twitter.com/CH0FrPQYEr — Zwift (@GoZwift) July 29, 2023

Vollering catches Niewiadoma

4km to go: Well, it was Vollering who moved first…she’s attacked and caught Niewiadoma. The Polish rider can’t hang on and Vollering goes solo.

5km to go: Is van Vleuten going to attack? Vollering seems to be waiting for her to go, but what if she doesn’t? Can Niewiadoma hold on? These are the questions going through my mind. The visibility on the Tourmalet is quite bad, isn’t it?

6km to go: It’s a big effort by Niewiadoma but she’s still looking good as the gradient ramps up. Behind, Labous is getting impatient and trying to push the pace. I can see the mist that Lloyd and Stephens were talking about now as the riders ascend further up the mountain.

9km to go: Niewiadoma has pushed the gap and now has 32sec on the chasers. Come on Kasia. This is impressive … keep it going!

We’re into the mountains! Stage 7 of the Tour de France Femme avec Zwift could see major shakeups to the GC. Check out two of the epic mountain climbs the riders will be taking on today with these key Strava segments from the course: Col du Tourmalet: https://t.co/bsdDJs1LC7 pic.twitter.com/kdqlcefHAD — Strava (@Strava) July 29, 2023

10km to go: Manon Lloyd is reporting from the Tourmalet. She’s at 6km to the summit and says it’s very misty. Although it’s 17C where she is, Lloyd says it feels much colder. It was 24C at the bottom of the climb, she says. Stephens reports that the visibility on the line is 30 metres due to thick fog.

🏁 The Col Du Tourmalet is ready 🏁 Le Tourmalet est prêt #TDFF2023 #WatchTheFemmes @GoZwift pic.twitter.com/WHA0iQHx19 — Le Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift (@LeTourFemmes) July 29, 2023

11km to go: Matt Stephens says there’s a tailwind on the Tourmalet today. Niewiadoma has a 9sec gap but van Vleuten and Vollering are joined by Reusser, Kopecky, Moolman Pasio, Labous, Uttrup Ludwig and Santesteban.

13km to go: Ooh, this is interesting…Eurosport have dug out an interview in which Niewiadoma spoke about using van Vleuten and Vollering’s focus on each other to make a move. Well, she did exactly that.

Marianne Vos has abandoned on the Col d'Aspin

14km to go: Jumbo-Visma have announced that Marianne Vos has abandoned the Tour on the Col d’Aspin. According to their statement, Vos isn’t feeling the best and wants to recover for the upcoming world championships.

🇫🇷 #TDFF2023 Marianne has left the race on Col d’Aspin. She’s not feeling one hundred percent fit. It’s now time to recover and focus on the upcoming WC. 🍀 pic.twitter.com/X6sODBRxzK — Team Jumbo-Visma Women (@JumboVismaWomen) July 29, 2023

15km to go: We’re getting to the business end of this stage. This is a pivotal moment for Niewiadoma. Here’s a look at what she’s got to tackle:

The King of the Pyrenees, judge, jury and executioner of this #TDFF2023 , and at its summit, a new queen! Le Roi des Pyrénées, juge de paix de ce #TDFF2023 , et à son sommet, une nouvelle reine! #TDFF2023 #WatchTheFemmes @GoZwift pic.twitter.com/oMt7uYjMBc — Le Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift (@LeTourFemmes) July 29, 2023

16km to go: Niewiadoma is 45sec ahead of Vollering and van Vleuten. Reusser is setting the pace in the chase group but they are trailing by 1min 05sec. The Tourmalet is looming.

20km to go: Both Peters will be happy with this turn of events: Niewiadoma is now the virtual yellow jersey wearer. The commentary have just called van Vlueten and Vollering’s lack of a reaction to Niewiadoma’s move as “like a standoff in the street in a western.” That’s not a bad way of putting it …

22km to go: This could be dangerous for van Vleuten and Vollering. They’ve given Niewiadoma a bit too much room and the Canyon-SRAM rider has carved out a 26sec lead.

25km to go: Niewiadoma is shooting down the descent as Vollering and van Vleuten follow with a sizeable gap. John was watching the climb up the Col d’Aspin with interest. He writes in to ask if that was “van Vleuten’s best effort?” He has some more thoughts to share: “At the moment, Vollering in particular seems to be allowing van Vleuten to tire herself into the headwind. Of course, as I write that, Niewiadoma goes to the front - which seems a bit odd.”

29km to go: Niewiadoma is first to cross the summit and bags 10 QOM points. Van Vleuten and Vollering take 8pts and 6pts, respectively. The trio are going to start the descent now.

31km to go: Niewiadoma is taking turns with Van Vleuten but Vollering doesn’t fancy chipping in. Vollering is the only one with a teammate in the chasing group. Kopecky is also there with Moolman Pasio, Reusser, Marta Cavalli (FDJ-Suez), Ane Santesteban (Jayco-AlUla) and Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (FDJ-Suez).

Van Vleuten, Vollering and Niewiadoma on the Col d’Aspin.

32km to go: The trio of van Vleuten, Vollering and Niewiadoma – all on the final podium in last year’s Tour – are stretching their gap. Labous is driving the chase, with Ashleigh Moolman Pasio (AG Insurance–Soudal–Quick-Step) and Marlen Reusser (SD Worx) on her wheel.

34km to go: Lippert has finished her turn and it’s over to van Vleuten who attacks. She’s got a small gap and has Niewiadoma and Demi Vollering (SD Worx) on her wheel.

35km to go: Lippert may have crashed earlier, but she’s up front on the climb now. There are about 25 riders in the leading group as we drop to under 6km of ascent left. The peloton has become really strung out and Kastelijn has been dropped.

36km to go: Another Peter has emailed in and also (like our earlier Peter) would like Niewiadoma to be victorious. He writes: “Would be good to see Niewiadoma win. I’m sure she’ll be up there but hard to see past AVV for the stage and the GC.”

38km to go: The bidons are off…the riders are climbing and will be for a little while. This is a long one and they want to carry as little weight as possible. Below, is a look at the climb profile. Just another 8.5km of climbing until the top of the Col d’Aspin…

⛰️The Col d'Aspin as the starter on today's menu ⛰️Le Col d'Aspin en guise d'entrée sur le menu du jour #TDFF2023 #WatchTheFemmes @GoZwiftTri pic.twitter.com/xlSqe0foUr — Le Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift (@LeTourFemmes) July 29, 2023

41km to go: The breakaway has been caught as the riders begin the climb up the 12km Col d’Aspin. It has an average gradient of 6.5% and a summit at 1,490m.

...and the other official segment: Col d'Aspin (let's hope the pretty views distract a bit from the pain of the ascent)! https://t.co/Soaib9zBTN pic.twitter.com/dnsnMjSr54 — Strava (@Strava) July 29, 2023

Margot Pompanon takes 20pts in the intermediate sprint

46km to go: Pompanon is the first across the line and takes 20pts in the intermediate sprint. It was a nice try from Poidevin to get across to the leading duo but she’s been caught by the peloton. In other news, the youngest rider in the Tour, Babette van der Wolf (Lifeplus Wahoo) has abandoned.

49km to go: There’s an intermediate sprint coming up soon. Andersen and Pompanon have increased their gap on the peloton to around 50sec. Poidevin is still trying to get over to the pair and trails by 20sec.

51km to go: Juliette Labous (DSM–Firmenich) spoke to Eurosport ahead of today’s stage. She thinks the big climbs combined with potential thunderstorms will make it “very special”. It would definitely make for a dramatic stage, in many ways!

56km to go: Margot Pompanon (St Michel-Mavic-Auber93) and Susanne Andersen (Uno-X) have attacked and opened up a gap of 25sec. Sara Poidevin (EF Education-Tibco-SVB) is trying to bridge across and is about 5secs behind the leaders.

62km to go: Demay has been caught and it looks like the peloton are all back together … for now. Over on Eurosport, Iris Slappendel is concerned about the dark clouds forming. She thinks rain is on the way. Also, Peter has emailed in and is the first to share his prediction for today’s stage win. He writes: “I think I’ll be cheering on Kasia Niewiadoma for the stage win today. Whoever gets it, I’m sure it’ll be dramatic!” He asks who’s my favourite but I couldn’t possibly say…aka I haven’t decided yet.

65km to go: Lucinda Brand (Lidl Trek), Justine Ghekiere (AG Insurance-Soudal Quick-Step), Floortje Mackaij (Movistar), Sheyla Gutierrez (Movistar) and Julie De Wilde (Fenix-Deceuninck) are among the riders to join Ton. Demay is about to get caught…

68km to go: After attacking solo, Coralie Demay (St Michel-Mavic-Auber93) has managed to get a 37sec gap from the bunch. Quinty Ton (Liv Racing Teqfind) has decided to go try and get across, while a group of 14 riders are in hot pursuit.

Coralie Demay of Team St Michel - Mavic - Auber93 competes in the breakaway during stage 7 of the Tour de France Femmes 2023.

Elisa Longo Borghini and Elisa Balsamo are out of the Tour

There were a number of non-starters this morning, including two of Lidl-Trek’s big names: Elisa Longo Borghini and Elisa Balsamo. Longo Borghini is out due to a skin infection that has required hospital treatment. Chiara Consonni (UAE Team ADQ), Maria Confalonieri (Uno-X) and Ewers have also abandoned.

🚨 Unfortunately @ElisaLongoB has also had to withdraw from the @LeTourFemmes ahead of today’s Col du Tourmalet stage, one which she was looking forward to. The Italian champion has a skin infection at the top of the left thigh, which required hospital treatment after #TDFF2023 … pic.twitter.com/EpNXnimiZp — Lidl-Trek (@LidlTrek) July 29, 2023

74km to go: There’s been quite a few attacks already but none of them have managed to stick yet. Lizzie Deignan (Lidl Trek) looks keen to create a breakaway, as does Marta Lach (Ceratizit-WNT).

78km to go: Who will triumph today? Let me know your predictions. You can get in touch via email or by tweeting me.

Split predictions! 🔮 Whatever happens, we are in for an exciting day and probably a Dutch victory... but will it be @AvVleuten or @demivollering ? 🇳🇱🏔️💛 #TDFF2023 #TDFFdata pic.twitter.com/QMxhIwTSEE — letourdata (@letourdata) July 29, 2023

Liane Lippert has crashed

80km to go: Eight placed in the GC, Liane Lippert is down. She gets up gingerly, is checked over by her team and gets back on her bike. The TV coverage now shows her trying to get back to the bunch and being seen to by the doctor as she cycles along.

💥Early crash in the peloton, with 🇩🇪 @LianeLippert hitting the floor. Everyone is back up and riding. 💥 Chute dans le peloton, avec 🇩🇪 @LianeLippert au sol. Toutes les coureuses impliquées sont reparties. #TDFF2023 #WatchTheFemmes @Gozwift pic.twitter.com/Sga6CsEBtP — Le Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift (@LeTourFemmes) July 29, 2023

81km to go: After suffering a nasty crash yesterday, Veronica Ewers (EF Education-TIBCO-SVB) has not started today due to a broken collarbone. Amazingly, Ewers rode around 50km after the crash to finish stage six. Ouch…

86km to go: The riders have started off at a very fast pace. As soon as the flag dropped, Julie De Wilde (Fenix-Deceuninck) attacked and was followed by Alice Barnes (Human Powered Health) before being swiftly brought back by the bunch. Marta Lach (Ceratizit-WNT) has also had a go but no one is getting away at the moment.

Racing has begun on stage seven

89km to go: Both Kopecky and Annemiek van Vleuten (Movistar) had mechanicals during the neutralised start but were sorted out by their mechanics and got back in the bunch. The flag has dropped and the riders are off…

Riders on the start line of stage seven of the Tour de France Femmes.

Stage seven is underway!

The riders are rolling out and will have a 5km neutralised start.

Marion Rousse on stage seven: “This is the queen stage of this second edition,” says the race director in a Tour video briefing. “We’ll start in Lannemezan and finish at the summit of the Col du Tourmalet. Before that, though, there’s the Col d’Aspin. It’s a really tough stage: very short, 90km, very intense. At the top of the Col du Tourmalet, we’ll pass through La Mongie … Obviously, this long 17km at an average gradient of 7.5% is going to do some damage. This will really be the decisive stage for the overall ranking, with all the big female climbers looking forward to battling it out on the slopes of the famous Col du Tourmalet.”

Who’s in what jersey?

Yellow: Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) 21hr 54min 30sec

Green: Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) 201pts

Polka-dot: Yara Kastelijn (Fenix–Deceuninck) 23pts

White: Cedrine Kerbaol (Ceratizit-WNT)

Lotte Kopecky will start stage seven of the Tour de France Femmes in the yellow jersey.

Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx) 21hr 54min 30sec

Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio (AG Soudal-Quickstep) +53sec

Annemiek van Vleuten (Movistar) +55sec

Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek) +55sec

Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon-SRAM) +55sec

Yara Kastelijn (Fenix–Deceuninck) +1min 04sec

Demi Vollering (SD Worx) +1min 07sec

Liane Lippert (Movistar) +1min 29sec

Ricarda Bauernfeind (Canyon-SRAM) +1min 42sec

Juliette Labous (DSM–Firmenich) +1min 52sec

Emma Norsgaard holds off pack to win stage six of Tour de France Femmes

Stage six report: Emma Norsgaard won stage six of the Tour de France Femmes after a three rider breakaway, also containing Agnieszka Skalniak-Sojka and Sandra Alonso, held off the pursuing peloton in what was the final chance for the sprinters in this year’s race.

Stage seven: Lannemezan to Tourmalet Bagnères-de-Bigorre (89.8km)

As my friend put it this morning: happy Tourmalet day! Today is the big one, the climb we’ve all been waiting to see the riders tackle … it’s the savage Col du Tourmalet. A favourite since it was introduced in the Tour de France in 1910, today marks the first time it’s been included in the Tour de France Femmes (yes, I know it’s only the second edition but don’t spoil the fun). Saturday’s stage may only be 89.8km, but it’s set to split the peloton apart.

The penultimate stage will be a decisive day for the maillot jaune and a day for the climbers. SD Worx’s Lotte Kopecky has been in the yellow jersey every day since her stage one victory, but will today mark the end of that? Although stage seven will begin with a relatively gentle and rolling terrain, the riders will then face the Col d’Aspin before the 17km haul to the 2,110 metre summit of the legendary Tourmalet.

Speaking about the inclusion of the high mountains in this year’s Tour de France Femmes, race director, Marion Rousse, said that it was in a bid to make the event “a little bit more historical”. She added: “The Tourmalet is a mythical climb and all the champions want to write their names into the record books by winning there.” It’s going to be a big day, so settle in and join me as we follow the riders on stage seven in the Pyrenees.

Stage start time: 3.15pm UK time

🚲 Stage 7 / Étape 7 🚲⠀ 🚩 Lannemezan 🏁 @destinationtpm 📏 89,9 km ⏰ 16:25 CEST > 19:15 CEST ⛰ 1xHC, 1x1️⃣c 💚 km 41,7 💛 #TDFF2023 #WatchTheFemmes @GoZwift pic.twitter.com/SDT9W1nOyy — Le Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift (@LeTourFemmes) July 29, 2023
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Exploring the mythical Col du Tourmalet ahead of historic Tour de France Femmes debut

A study of the most legendary of climbs, which will be the highlight and big showdown of saturday's stage up to the 2,110m summit..

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}'>Download the app .

When a Tour de France stage finished on the Col du Tourmalet in 2010, I decided to hike from the media center in La Mongie up to the top. I walked those last 4 kilometers of the col’s eastern side through a cold, misty drizzle, climbing through 1,125 feet (343 meters) to the 6,939 feet (2,115 meters) summit.

On the other side of the col, the Tour’s top two on GC, Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador, were fighting a race-defining duel that I was listening to on Radio Tour. Schleck finished first.

That day, the road on the eastern side—the same side that the world’s best women racers will be climbing on Saturday in the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift—was quiet. I felt the stillness of the mountain, passing the occasional spectator and avoiding the rivulets angling across the switchbacks.

I was thinking back exactly 100 years to another cycling enthusiast walking this very section of the climb a month before it first witnessed the sound of bicycle tires crunching on what was then gravel and rocks. His name was Alphonse Steinès, a technical expert who reported directly to the organizer of the Tour de France, Henri Desgrange.

To reconnoiter the Tourmalet, which would be the high point of what was the event’s first-ever sortie into the Pyrénées, Steinès had paid a driver to take him as far up the road as his spluttering car could go. The car was stopped by thick snow about 3 kilometers from the top.

History differs on what happened next, but this is perhaps the most accurate account, one that I helped compile with my first magazine editor, J. B. Wadley, 50 years ago.

“Steinès sent the car back, instructing the driver to take the low circular route and meet him on the other side. He would walk. In the growing darkness, he was guided for an hour by a shepherd boy, who refused to go any farther, being afraid of the brown bears.

“In the full night, cursing, praying, sinking deep in the snow yet miraculously missing the precipices— from which there would have been no return—Steinès, wearing just street shoes, groped his way to the summit.

“On the descent, he cautiously felt his way step by step until he came to the bed of a creek that he could hear running beneath the snow. He followed it for an hour until he saw the lights of a village. In another hour he reached some houses. It was now 3 a.m., yet the 100 residents of Barèges were awake. The car driver had raised the alarm that a mad stranger was crossing the Tourmalet in the middle of the night.

“Steinès asked the locals what the Tourmalet pass was like when the snow cleared, ‘Just a mule track,’ he was told. Later, he sent a telegram to his boss Desgrange in Paris: ‘Crossed Tourmalet. Road usable and without snow.’ Luckily, the first crossing of the Tourmalet was made in dry weather.”

tourmalet tour de francia

On stage 10 of that 1910 Tour, French racer Octave Lapize, alternately walking and riding, was the first man to pass between the snowbanks at the top, half a kilometer ahead of Gustave Garrigou—who was the only rider to pedal the whole 17 kilometers from valley to peak.

The Tourmalet was just the third of half a dozen climbs on that stage, with Lapize eventually winning in Bayonne after covering the 326 kilometers in 14 hours, 10 minutes. Since that first Pyrenean foray a century ago, the Tourmalet has been scaled 88 more times in Le Tour. It has also seen a few appearances by elite female racers in the various iterations of the women’s Tour….

In the second edition of the Tour de France Féminin of 1985, climbing the Tourmalet’s eastern side (the one being used this week), Italian star Maria Canins dropped race favorite Jeanne Longo, who had to zigzag up the steepest 11-percent grades. By the time she had descended through Barèges and scaled the switchback ascent to the finish at Luz-Ardiden, she was nine minutes behind Canins.

The Tour organizers stopped supporting a woman’s stage race in 1993, but a private French promoter Pierre Boué filled the vacant calendar slot with a two-week race, first called the Tour Cycliste Féminin and then La Grande Boucle Féminine. He featured mountaintop finishes on the Tourmalet in 1996 and 2000.

In 1996, the defending champion Fabiana Luperini, another Italian climber, caught back five minutes after a bad crash on stage 4, re-joined the peloton at the foot of the Tourmalet and despite being “sore and bleeding” put seven minutes into her rivals to take over the race leadership.

Then, on the Tourmalet in 2000, Lithuanian Edita Pučinskaitė rode away from the field with her Alfa Lum teammate, Joane Somarriba of Spain; they finished together, while Luperini was three minutes back in fifth.

Boué’s race soon experienced financial problems and the last edition of La Grande Boucle in 2009 covered just 306 kilometers in four stages.

Now, with the promotional might of Tour owner ASO behind her, race director Marion Rousse has made no secret of her intention to build on the enthusiasm generated by the Tour de France Femmes’ first edition. “The idea is to make a little bit more history with the race,” she said.

Also read: On to the Tourmalet: Photos from historic and recent Tours

Finishing a stage atop the Tourmalet is a perfect way to key into that history. And the eastern approach (17.1 kilometers at 7.4 percent) is considered the toughest side. Its opening 4 kilometers average less than 4 percent, while the steepest grades come hallway up.

Just a few weeks ago, this is where Jonas Vingegaard and Tadej Pogačar raced away from the field during the men’s Tour.

Describing the climb to the Official Tour Guide, former racer Hubert Arbes, one of Bernard Hinault’s teammates, who lives nearby, said, “The part I fear the most is 2 kilometers below La Mongie, where the road goes under some avalanche shelters. You’re exposed to the wind, the road is quite wide and it rises in a straight line at a 9.5 percent grade. By that point, you already have a lot of climbing in your legs and you still can’t see the summit—you have to avoid cracking mentally there.

“After La Mongie, there are still 4 tough kilometers to go, including two hairpins where you have to push harder to cope with 14 percent ramps. For me, the Tourmalet is all about morale. You have to be strong in your head and fight with your bike.”

tourmalet tour de francia

We can only ponder who will conquer the Tourmalet this weekend. The Tour de France Femmes is delicately poised, with just one minute covering the six top climbers on GC. Defending champion Annemiek van Vleuten is the undoubted favorite after dominating the recent Giro d’Italia. But the Dutch veteran has a host of rivals, spearheaded by last year’s other podium finishers Demi Vollering of the Netherlands and Katia Niewiadoma of Poland. Also in the reckoning are Ashleigh Moolman of South Africa, Elisa Longo Borghini of Italy and Juliette Labous of France.

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What’s it like to be an American cyclist living in France? Watch to get professional road cyclist Joe Dombrowski’s view.

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Vingegaard: 'Tadej Will Keep Fighting'

Jai Hindley wears the yellow jersey for stage 6 of the Tour de France 2023 as July 6 features four climbs, giving climbers a good chance to rack up some points and fight for the lead. 

Felix Gall earned King of the Mountains on stage 5, when he battled for the leading position against  Hindley. Though he did not beat him to the finish line, Gall was able to show his rivals how strong of a climber he is on July 5. 

Subscribe to FloBikes to Stay Up To Date With the Latest Cycling News!

Stage 6 of the Tour de France features the tour's first “Hors catégorie” mountain. The entire route is full of mountains that could be the perfect opportunity for climbers to take the spotlight. 

2023 Tour de France

Two-time stage winner, Jasper Philipsen rides into stage 6 with the green jersey. The sprinter snatched the position from Adam Yates on stage 3 of the Tour de France.  

A lot is in store for the competitors coming into stage 6 of the Tour de France, here is what you need to know.

Tour de France Stage 6 Route

Stage 6 for the Tour de France 2023 starts July 6 and the cyclists will set off from Tarbes to Le Cambasque. The route totals to 90.04 miles of relatively flat terrain with four major climbs at the end.

It starts off flat and the first climb, Cote de Capervern-les-Bains appears 18 miles in. The real challenge appears in the final stages of the route, the Col du Tourmalet. The 10-mile long climb is one of the the most difficult climbs of the Tour de France. It’s classified as “Hors catégorie” (HC) which means it is “beyond classification. 

Col du Tourmalet Tour de France

It’s a good day for Tour de France fanatics as they will get to see the cyclists ascend one of the most used summits in the Tour de France.

It first appeared in 1910 and Octave Lapiz is the first King of the Mountain for the Col du Tourmalet. 

Col du Tourmalet was last featured in 2021 on stage 18  when Tadej Pogacar was the first to reach the top of that mountain, earning the polka-dot jersey and King of the Mountain title for that race. 

King of Mountains is an incredible achievement for any racer at any stage of the Tour de France, but winning the Col du Tourmalet feels a little more special than the rest because of the reputation it holds within the Tour de France. 

How Hindley Held Off Vingegaard, Pogacar

Tour de France Stage 6 Climbs

  • Category 3, 4.85 miles at 3.4%
  • Category1, 7.39 miles at 6.6%
  • Hors catégorie, 10.5 miles at 7.4%
  • Category 1, 3.29 miles at 7.5%

Tour de France Jersey Color Guide 

The Tour de France has a long-standing tradition of awarding different colored jerseys at the end of every stage. You might notice that every podium picture features a cyclist in a yellow jersey. 

This is because a yellow jersey is awarded to the winner of that stage. If you want to know the rest of the colors, here is a Tour de France jersey color guide . 

Tour de France Results

The de France is a 21-stage race that ends on July 23. There are winners for every day of the race, including colored jerseys awarded based on different classification performances. 

Here are all the results of every stage of the of the Tour de France so far:

  • Stage 1  
  • Stage 2  
  • Stage 3  
  • Stage 4 

How To Watch Tour de France USA

A live broadcast will be available on NBC and Peacock. FloBikes will provide updates, highlights, and behind-the-scenes coverage throughout the entire event.

How To Watch Tour de France Canada 

FloBikes will provide a live broadcast for Canadian audiences.

Tour de France 2023 Schedule

The Tour de France begins July 1 and finishes July 23 at the Champ-Elyees. The complete route is divided into 21 stages featuring different types of terrain and distance. 

Here is the full Tour de France schedule  

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Icon of the Tour de France: the Col du Tourmalet

Chris Sidwells profiles the most climbed mountain in Tour de France history - the Col du Tourmalet

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tourmalet tour de francia

The Col du Tourmalet (Chris Catchpole)

Chris Sidwells

The father of all mountain climbs, the Col du Tourmalet, in July 1910 took racing cyclists higher than they had ever been before.

Stage 10 of the 1910 Tour de France delivered cycling into a new era, as for the first time riders tackled the high mountain passes of Europe, pedalling over 2,000m into the sky.

The Tourmalet and the passes around it have helped shape much of the sport’s history ever since.

Before 1910, the Tourmalet was just a notch in the rock between two of the highest peaks in the Pyrenees — no more than a track used by shepherds travelling between the Adour and Gave de Pau valleys. The Tour de France made the Tourmalet, literally.

Taking on the Tourmalet was a dream until 1910; journalist Alphonse Steines wanted the Tour de France to use the climb, even though it nearly killed him when he got lost in the snow on a route recce.

Undaunted, Steines told his boss, the Tour de France organiser Henri Desgrange, that racing was possible on the climb, and he got Desgrange to provide the local authority with 3,000 francs to replace the goat track over the Tourmalet with a road.

Tour’s mallet

The Col du Tourmalet is called l’incontournable in France, the unavoidable. It’s the only way to get through this part of the High Pyrenees.

Both sides of the climb have been used a total of 87 times by the Tour de France (as of 2019), more than any other mountain pass.

It’s part of a natural line between Bagnères-de-Luchon and Pau that goes over the Col de Peyresourde, the Aspin, the Tourmalet and the Aubisque.

>>> Icons of cycling: The Champs-Élysées

That was the way the first high-mountain stage went in 1910, the day when the organisers weren’t sure what they had done.

They feared bandits, accidents and even bears, which were plentiful back then. They feared someone might get killed, and the eventual stage winner Octave Lapize shouted “assassins” at race officials waiting on the Tourmalet. Everybody survived.

The summit of the pass is 2,115m (6,913ft) and the road goes over it east to west. The eastern ascent starts in Sainte-Marie-de-Campan, is 17.2km long and gains 1,268m (4,160ft). The western ascent is 19km long and gains 1,404m (4,606ft).

Both have average gradients of seven per cent, and the east side has the steepest section, at 12 per cent.

But it’s not facts and figures that make the Tourmalet so special; it is history. This climb stands as a memorial to men who understand the indomitable power of the human spirit, who are not prepared to accept limitations. It’s a memorial to the imagination of Alphonse Steines and to all the great cyclists who have raced over it.

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Chris has written thousands of articles for magazines, newspapers and websites throughout the world. He’s written 25 books about all aspects of cycling in multiple editions and translations into at least 25

different languages. He’s currently building his own publishing business with Cycling Legends Books, Cycling Legends Events, cyclinglegends.co.uk , and the Cycling Legends Podcast 

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tourmalet tour de francia

30 facts about the Col du Tourmalet

Feared Pyrenean climb honoured with two ascents at 2010 Tour

Scaled twice in this year's Tour de France, the legendary Col du Tourmalet climb has been part of the race since 1910 when it was first introduced in stage 10 by race director Henri Desgrange as the capstone to what would be referred to as the "Circle of Death": the Pyrenean foursome of the Col de Peyresourde, Col d'Aspin, Col du Tourmalet and the Col d'Aubisque.

Tour de France racers may tackle Tourmalet twice in 2010

Fifty-nine brave souls set out that July 21st morning to tackle the monstrous stage and the Col du Tourmalet's mystique was born. Following are 30 facts about the iconic Col du Tourmalet's role in Tours past. Here's hoping another 100 years are in store for the mythical mountain.

1 The Col du Tourmalet made its first appearance in 1910 and celebrates its 100th anniversary as part of the Tour de France in 2010.

2 Octave Lapize was the first rider to cross the Col du Tourmalet in the 1910 Tour de France, having to walk much of the dirt road ascent. Lapize would win the stage and later the overall GC, the Frenchman's only Tour de France triumph.

3 Lapize is noted for calling Tour officials "assassins" during the stage after tackling the Tourmalet.

tourmalet tour de francia

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Based in the southeastern United States, Peter produces race coverage for all disciplines, edits news and writes features. The New Jersey native has 30 years of road racing and cyclo-cross experience, starting in the early 1980s as a Junior in the days of toe clips and leather hairnets. Over the years he's had the good fortune to race throughout the United States and has competed in national championships for both road and 'cross in the Junior and Masters categories. The passion for cycling started young, as before he switched to the road Peter's mission in life was catching big air on his BMX bike.

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Epic Road Rides

Cycling Col du Tourmalet region, French Pyrenees

Cycling in the Pyrenees is truly sensational and offers some of the best cycling in France.

In particular, the area around the Col du Tourmalet, in the western end of the French Pyrenees, is home to many of the biggest names in cycling folklore. Within a relatively small radius of the Col du Tourmalet, you’ll find famous roads like the Hautacam , Luz Ardiden , Col d’Aspin and Col d’Aubisque .

Riding this region of the Pyrenees is massively rewarding; unlike other busier, better-publicised parts of this world, cycling around Argelès Gazost and the western Pyrenees feels like an adventure. You’ll also undoubtedly find yourself following many of the same roads the Tour de France takes in the Pyrenees; pretty awesome in itself!

But it comes at a price: it’s tough. This area doesn’t really do flat, so you need to be fit. The gradients are more unpredictable than the Alps, the roads are generally narrower, steeper and less engineered. You’re also more likely to encounter some spiky weather.

It’s worth it; the Pyrenees stole our hearts.

If you love riding in the mountains but haven’t yet tackled the Col du Tourmalet region by bike, now is the time to rectify that.

Looking for a Col du Tourmalet cycling challenge?

Up for some consistently spectacular scenery, serious Tour de France pedigree, reliable bike hire in Argelès Gazost and quiet roads?

Whether you want a Pyrenees cycling tour or a DIY Pyrenees cycling holiday, this guide will help you plan an unforgettable Pyrenees cycling holiday. Here you’ll find detailed information on the best road rides plus where to stay, when to visit and Pyrenees bike hire.

Read on and plan your Pyrenees road bike holiday.

This article includes details of products and/or services that we have used ourselves or which we would consider using. Some are paid features or include affiliate links where if you click on a link and make a booking or buy something, we may earn a commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Please read our disclosure policy for further information.

Pyrenees cycle routes: Argelès-Gazost and Tourmalet region of the Pyrenees

When planning our trip to this area of the western Pyrenees, it took us ages to decide on the best base: should we stay in Argelès-Gazost, Bagnères de Luchon or Foix to access the best Pyrenees roads?

After much thought, we decided on Argelès-Gazost for our first trip to the Pyrenees. This allows you to be close to the most famous Pyrenees cols, mountain passes and Tour de France climbs (particularly if you want to attempt the Col du Tourmalet bike climb and the other climbs in this guide). We think it was the right choice (but have since been back to cover the cycling routes of Bagnerès de Luchon including Col du Peyresourde and friends )!

Read this for more information on  how we decided which town to stay in for cycling the Pyrenees  and this for an overview of the different cycling regions within the Pyrenees .

All of the Pyrenees cycling routes in this guide use Argelès Gazost as a base town. If you use them, you’ll find yourself on loops that take in some of the greatest road climbs of the Pyrenees. We’ve put these routes together ourselves and we hope you love them as much as we did. Do let us know once you’ve experienced cycling in the Col du Tourmalet region, especially if you tried our routes!

Cyclist on the Col d'Aubisque surrounded by clouds

A big thank you to local resident, Simon Smart, for his insights that helped us plan many of these routes. 

For a local’s thoughts on Argelès -Gazost cycling, check out our Q&A with Paddy Sweeney of V é lo Peloton .

Also make sure you read our tips for cycling in the Pyrenees , before you go.

Easy cycling in the Pyrenees

You don’t come cycling in the Col de Tourmalet and Pyrenees area for flat roads and easy riding. In general, roads like that are in the valleys and you’ll be sharing the road with a lot of cars, especially in summer.  But – happily – there are a few exceptions:

Lourdes – Argelès-Gazost – Pierrefitte-Netsalas Voie Verte/greenway

An 18 km Voie Vertes (or greenway) stretches between Lourdes and Pierrefitte-Netsalas. It’s got a good, asphalt road surface that’s suitable for road bikes. It’s practically flat and is totally separate to the main road. So it’s a great option if you’re with kids or are just trying to get north or south from Argelès-Gazost and want to avoid the main roads.

After Pierrefitte-Netsalas, the Voie Verte becomes steep and gravelled for the last 10 km to Cauterets. This is a good choice if you’re tackling the Pyrenees by mountain bike rather than road bike.

Voie Verte between Argelès-Gazost and Lourdes

North and east of Lourdes

If you’re seeking flattish terrain, Lourdes cycling could be your best bet: go in the opposite direction to the high mountains. Head towards Lourdes, then Tarbes and villages such as Vic-en-Boigorre, Mauborguet and Tostat in the plains of Gascony.

Alternatively, a middle ground exists in the foothills of the Pyrenees: the Col de Lingous, Col de la Croix Blanche and Bois de Mouret, all of which lie east of Lourdes.

Cycle events in the Pyrenees

Unsurprisingly, there are lots of cycling events and challenges focused on the Pyrenees. For example:

Raid Pyrenees

The Raid Pyrenean route is a 720km traverse from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean across the Pyrenees in 100 hours. Includes 11,000m of climbing. More information in this article on the Raid Pyrenees.

Look Marmotte Granfondo Pyrenees

The Marmotte Pyrenees course takes you 160km, from Argelès-Gazost over the Col du Tourmalet (twice), Hourquette d’Ancizan and Col d’Aspin, finishing at the summit of Luz Ardiden.

Haute Route Pyrenees

A 7 day challenge that starts and finishes in Pau, stopping off en route in Argelès-Gazost. Takes in many of the regions highlights including the Aubisque, Soulor, Spendelles, Hautacam, Tourmalet, Couraduque and Hourquette-Ancizan.

Pyrenees cycling accommodation

This part of the Pyrenees is characterised by small towns and villages with cycling accommodation that is family-run and relatively basic. So staying at the likes of a bed and breakfast with your bike in the Pyrenees is realistic.

We based ourselves in Argelès-Gazost as we wanted easy access to the most famous Tour de France climbs (within 15 km there are over thirty categorised climbs including Col du Tourmalet , Col d’Aubisque and Hautacam ).

For our view on other great places to stay in the Pyrenees, take a look at our guide to the best towns for cyclists . It describes each of the main towns you could stay in, talks about the cycling options from each and gives our opinion on them.

Remember to double-check accommodation bike storage arrangements (and any other services you need) before booking as policies often change.

Our choice: Le Miramont, Argelès-Gazost

The Miramont hotel is a family-run, Art Deco hotel is located in the heart of Argelès-Gazost, between the park and spa and the centre of the village. We received a warm welcome and service was extremely hospitable throughout. Well-presented, delicious food was another big highlight.

Hotel Miramont, Argelès-Gazost

What we loved

Delicious food. We ate breakfast and dinner here; both were excellent. The continental breakfast comprised a well-presented selection of artisanal yoghurts, fresh fruit salad, cold meat and cheese, different breads and pastries. Boiled eggs were also available. Coffee was from a self-service machine, but it was surprisingly good.  Dinner was tasty and also superb value for money.

Great service. Dominique spoke excellent English and gave us an exceptionally friendly welcome to the hotel and our room.

Good bike storage facilities. A separate building with permanently shuttered windows is tucked away behind the hotel and is home to a spacious bike storage facility. It comprises three small rooms including a workbench with a few tools and track pumps, sink and bike racks. There are also lockable bike storage cupboards you can lock your bike into. The walls are adorned with cycling memorabilia from guests that have stayed in the past, including Chris Boardman, Alberto Contador and Lance Armstrong. Whether you bring your own or opt for bike rental in the Pyrenees, there’s somewhere safe and convenient to store your cycle.

Pretty garden. There are various seating areas that looked like the ideal place for a relaxing post-ride beer.

Breakfast at Hotel Miramont, Pyrenees

Things to know

The hotel is on the main road through Argelès-Gazost. There was no air-con in our room, so we needed the window open. As a result, traffic noise was mildly disturbing, but if that’s an issue it could probably be resolved with earplugs.

A lot of effort has clearly gone into turning this Art Deco hotel into a contemporary, chic space. This has been done very successfully in the dining room; the moody greys and reds plus over-size downlighters wouldn’t be amiss in a four-star hotel. While not unexpected in a three-star hotel, we felt the bathroom, with its pink-lino floor, was due an upgrade. The same goes for the small bedroom: while the bed was very comfortable, some of the other fixtures looked a little tired.

There is no clothes washing service, but the hotel has a drying room and the owners are happy to dry your clothes there.

Mountain villages are not known for their over-supply of luxury accommodation and Argelès-Gazost is no exception. For a three star hotel, we think Hotel Le Miramont does very well indeed.

Other accommodation options for cyclists

If Hotel Miramont is full, we’d consider the Argelès Gazost accommodation options listed in our article on where to stay in the Pyrenees (for cyclists).

Bike hire Pyrenees (Argelès-Gazost region)

If you’re looking for bike hire in Argelès Gazost, you’re in luck. The town is a cycling mecca, and as such there are a number of good options.

As a side note, it’s worth knowing that in small towns, a shop that seems to be mainly selling lawn mowers and scooters could be able to help you if you have a mechanical issue. They often have on-site mechanics that are very handy with a range of machines, including bikes! So you can look beyond Argelès Gazost bike hire shops should you need technical support.

Prices, services and bike brands often change. Please let us know if anything is incorrect.

Bike rental Argelès-Gazost, Pyrenees

Bike rental luz saint saveur, pyrenees, other pyrenees bike rental options.

  • Book your bike in advance, particularly in peak season.
  • Remember to bring your own pedals, shoes and helmet. This  packing list  may help!
  • Check which way around your brakes are set before you ride away (i.e. whether the front brakes are on the right hand (as is usual in the UK) or on the left (as is usual elsewhere in Europe)). Also take a look at our list of  things to check before hiring a bike.

Undecided on whether to hire a bike or bring your own?  Read this now.

Best time to go to the Pyrenees

One of our first comments on heading into the Pyrenees was, wow, isn’t it green. Yes. There’s a reason for that – the Col du Tourmalet weather.

The lush green meadows of the French side of the Pyrenees are testament to the fact that this area gets a lot of rain. The weather can be unpredictable, even in summer; afternoon thunderstorms are not uncommon.

The area is busiest when the Tour de France comes through in July, but in weather terms, Paddy Sweeney at Velo Peloton advised us that the months either side of the Tour are better times to visit as the weather is more settled and it’s less busy.

So when does Col du Tourmalet open to riders? The cycling season is short-lived in this mountainous area. The Col du Tourmalet weather often means that it and Col du Aubisque often don’t open until early June. Paddy also advised that sometimes cols open in late May and then immediately shut for a few weeks while repairs are carried out to weather-worn asphalt.

So, the message is, if you want to ride the biggest cols, don’t come too early – and don’t leave it too late!

If you like hard copy route cards, there’s a booklet called Topoguide – Velo de route, with 20 individual sheets, one for each road bike route. It show the routes in detail and the topography of the ride. We understand these can be bought from the Offices de Tourisme within the department.  Chris Sidwell’s Tour Climbs, the complete guide to every mountain stage on the Tour de France features the Pyrenees climbing greats: Tourmalet, Aspin, Aubisque, Tourmalet, Luz Ardiden and other Tour de France mountains in the Hautes-Pyrénées.

Ride a Stage of the Tour De France: The Legendary Climbs and How to Ride Them by Kristian Bauer has a slightly more detailed look at the Col d’Aubisque, Luz-Ardiden, Hautacam, Tourmalet and Aspin.

Mapping Le Tour by Ellis Baco n has a page for each edition of the Tour de France and a section at the back that focuses on many of the climbs of the Hautes-Pyrenees.

Friebe and Goding’s Mountain High takes a less practical, more historical and personal look at the Tourmalet, Cirque du Gavernie, Aubisque and Hautacam.

This free Pyrenees cycling map is quite useful for basic orientation.

Other options for a French Pyrenees map for cyclists also exist. IGN has a Hautes-Pyrenees map at 1:200,000. Michelin offers a Midi-Pyrénées map .

Good to know

While the closest airport to the region is Tarbes, it’s most likely you’ll fly into Toulouse. There are daily flights from the UK all year around and lots of car hire options too.

Bear in mind that nearly all bike shops in the region close on Sundays and Mondays (though if you speak to them in advance, they’ll probably be able to arrange for bike collection/delivery on these days). The exception to this is in July and August when many shops have extended opening; but check before you assume they’ll be open!

Enjoyed our guide?

We’d love to hear from you – comment below or drop us a line .

Want more? Don’t miss our guides to the best Tourmalet cycling route – plus Aubisque , Aspin , Hautacam , Luz Ardiden and more below. Once you’ve done these climbs, we’d also suggest basing yourself in Bagnéres de Luchon for a few days to discover the amazing riding from there – including Col de Peyresourde, Col du Portillon and many more famous climbs (check out our guide to that area here )!

Want to check out some other destinations? Search by the month you want to travel or cycling destination you want to visit, here .

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tourmalet tour de francia

Cycling the Col du Tourmalet

If you search cycling’s most epic climbs, cycling the Col du Tourmalet will feature strongly. The Souvenir Jacques Goddet is the prize award given to the quickest Tour de France rider across the Col du Tourmalet summit whenever it’s ridden on the Tour, and we can see why, it is quite the achievement. The mountain, because of its Tour de France history means it holds mythical status.

Coming in at 2115m high, the Col du Tourmalet is one of the highest mountain passes in the French Pyrenees side of the mountain range, it’s not your average slope. It’s one of the best climbs in the world and has been made very famous by being featured 87 times in the Tour de France. It’s a a tough ride up to the top, but you are rewarded with endless beautiful views when you reach it. What makes the climb is you can feel the history of all the famous riders who have battled their way to the top as you ride it yourself.

view of the iron statue on the Col du Tourmalet

The History of the Climb

It’s not the height that makes the Tourmalet so famous, it’s the legend that sits behind it.

Alphonse Steines, a French journalist, was the architect of the Tourmalet. When the mountain was only known to livestock herders, he had the dream of cycling over the mountain and building a road on its barren, often snow covered slopes.

On his first reconnaissance of the mountain, he uttered what are now pretty iconic words “Crossed Tourmalet. Very good road. Perfectly feasible”,, and the road was built. The climb became immortalised in legend on stage 10 of the 1910 Tour de France, which featured the dreaded Tourmalet for the first time. Octave Lapize, the winner of the stage, screamed. “Vous êtes des assassins! for the severity of the what he had been forced to ride.

Eastern Route

There are three ways to get up this legendary climb, and two are done by a road bike, and one, you will need to be on a mountain bike. Unlike many other famous climbs, the Tourmalet doesn’t have many bends and coming from the eastern side especially. It is a very long straight climb with few corners. It is a challenging climb that we can’t recommend highly enough if you’re fond of a challenge.

From the east side if you’re staying in Argelès Gazost, you take a shorter ride of about 16 miles with 1268m of climbing. The average gradient is 7.4%, and it is the shorter ascent out of the two road rides. The road only has a few corners, three or four to the top. Unlike many mountain climbs, the Tourmalet isn’t full of switchbacks. The climb starts passing through many campgrounds with incredible views until you hit Gripp, where it starts to bite. Passing through Artigues, you will have to keep on digging all the way to the top of the Col du Tourmalet. You follow a valley through the top, and the road will feel smooth but not fast as it’s still very steep.

GPX Route Featuring the Eastern Climb of Ventoux

Western route.

From the west side if your staying at Luz Saint Sauveur , cycling the Col du Tourmalet gives you a 19 kilometre climb with 1404m of climbing. It also does average about 7.4% average gradient. This is the longer way up the top, and it is a toughchallenge. Following the valley up from Bagnères de Bigorre the road kicks and you have a beautiful climb on a smooth narrow road alongside a small gushing river. The scenery is lush and green, and on your travels, you will be passing through La Mongie if you need food and water, but most people continue on as the climb is so close. This route has much more in the way of bends and cycling on the edges, you get amazing views.

You know you are at the top when you see the iron Col du Tourmalet statue. It isn’t there in winter and is only brought up from June to October. If you go on the first Saturday of June, you will get a big surprise with the number of riders who go to see it being put up. At the top or on the way up, don’t be surprised to see the odd ski station and snowy capped peaks.

GPX Route Featuring the Western Climb of Ventoux

Where to stay.

After flying into Lourdes, Tarbes or Toulouse. Your going to want to make your way to Sainte Marie de Campan the region where you are going to want to be. Argelès Gazost or Luz St Sauveur is a great place to situate yourself for a cycling tour vacation. You will be in the centre of a few incredible mountains such as Col d’Aspin, Col d’Aubisque, and the Col du Soulor.

There are plenty of hotels and places to eat and drink when you need to replenish all those calories. The area is full of incredible hikes, water sports and even situates a casino for when you’re not on the bike. You will also find cycling shops and even bike rentals in this village. Everything you need for an epic cycling vacation will be here.

When to Ride?

Typically the Tourmalet is best to go to from June to October. This is when the weather will be the best for good cycling. Although straight in the middle of this, July is the busiest time, so you will see more traffic, lots of other cyclists, and busier roads.

We highly recommend taking a windproof jacket for the descents and even a pair of gloves in case it does get a little cold in the early mornings or late in the afternoon. The weather in the mountains can turn quite quickly, so always keep an eye on the forecast.

Tips for Climbing the Tourmalet

If you plan to go to the Col du Tourmalet, don’t go unprepared. Here are our top tips when it comes to taking on this beast of a climb.

Go prepared

Doing some training on your local hills prior will go a very long way for you. Although you can drop the intensity and go up slower, being fitter and a bit more conditioned to a nasty climb will help make the experience so much easier and better.

Food and Water

Always be prepared and take all the food and water you will need. You don’t always find places to stop and resupply in the mountains, so it’s always a good idea to have more than enough. You’re also going to want to make sure you are taking on food and water regularly into your body, as while taking a climb like this, it is easy to forget and end up burning out.

It’s vital to set a good pace where you can ride for a couple of hours without going too deep into your body. Learn to set a pace either working to power, heart rate or feeling and apricate that the altitude will make it harder nearer the top.

temas / Curiosidades de la historia

Un mito del ciclismo

El Tourmalet, historia de una leyenda del Tour de Francia

Uno de los momentos más esperados del tour de francia es la ascensión al col du tourmalet, el mítico paso de montaña de los pirineos franceses. esta es la historia de cómo llegó a ser una cita casi obligada para los participantes en la carrera gala..

Vista desde la cima del Col du Tourmalet

Vista desde la cima del Col du Tourmalet

Abel G.M.

Periodista especializado en historia, paleontología y mascotas

Actualizado a 15 de julio de 2021 · 14:25 · Lectura:

En los más de cien años de historia del Tour de Francia, pocos paisajes han sido tan representativos de esta carrera como el Col du Tourmalet, el paso de montaña situado en los Pirineos. De las 108 ediciones que se cumplen este año, 81 han incluido la ascensión al Tourmalet ; a estas hay que sumar las veces que ha sido también escenario de la Vuelta a España, convirtiéndose así en el paso de montaña más transitado de la historia del ciclismo profesional.

“Muy buena ruta. Perfectamente practicable”

El Tourmalet fue incluido por primera vez en el recorrido de la 8ª edición del Tour de Francia, en 1910. Henri Desgrange, uno de los fundadores de la carrera, envió al periodista deportivo Alphonse Steinès a los Pirineos con la misión de descubrir una etapa de montaña que supusiera un reto para los ciclistas .

Alphonse Steinès (1873-1960)

Alphonse Steinès (1873-1960)

Alphonse Steinès fue uno de los personajes más importantes que dio forma al Tour de Francia. Entre otras cosas, convenció a los organizadores para que incluyeran más etapas de montaña y repartieran el recorrido por toda la geografía del país.

Steinès esperaba cumplir su encargo con una cierta comodidad por lo que, siendo invierno, viajaba en coche y con chófer. Pero una tarde, mientras ascendía por la carretera del Tourmalet, el coche tuvo que detenerse debido a la nieve acumulada. A pesar de la nevada, de que la noche estaba al caer y de que el chófer le advirtió que por la zona merodeaban osos, Steinès decidió recorrer a pie los cuatro kilómetros que faltaban para llegar a lo más alto del paso .

Su atrevimiento casi le costó la vida. Resbaló en la carretera helada y cayó a un arroyo; empapado, volvió a subir hasta la carretera, pero ya no le quedaban fuerzas y se desplomó en la nieve. Cuando ya creía que iba a morir, oyó unas voces que le llamaban por su nombre : eran los habitantes del pueblo de Sainte-Marie de Campan, que habían sido advertidos de su temerario intento y habían organizado grupos de búsqueda. Ellos le ayudaron a llegar hasta el pueblo de Barèges, al otro lado del paso de montaña.

Antes de comer, descansar o darse un baño caliente, se dirigió a la oficina de telégrafos y envió un mensaje: "Atravesado Tourmalet. Muy buena ruta. Perfectamente practicable."

Después de haber estado a punto de morir, Steinès seguía teniendo claras sus prioridades: antes de comer, descansar o darse un baño caliente, se dirigió a la oficina de telégrafos y envió un mensaje a Desgrange con la que podría ser la mentira más célebre de la historia del ciclismo:

" Atravesado Tourmalet. Muy buena ruta. Perfectamente practicable ."

“Son ustedes unos asesinos”

Incluso en verano, el engaño de Steinès no tardó en salir a la luz. El Tourmalet fue incluido en la ruta del Tour de Francia ese mismo año y demostró con creces ser un reto mayor que cualquiera que se hubiera planteado antes en el ciclismo profesional. Octave Lapize, el primero en coronarlo, se bajó de la bicicleta y terminó la ascensión a pie; cuando llegó a la cima, totalmente agotado, fue incapaz de proferir palabra durante un rato y cuando finalmente recuperó el aliento sus primeras palabras fueron para los organizadores: “¡Son ustedes unos asesinos, sí, unos asesinos!”

Octave Lapize subiendo a pie el último tramo del Tourmalet en la edición de 1910

Octave Lapize subiendo a pie el último tramo del Tourmalet en la edición de 1910

Octave Lapize con el ramo de ganador del Tour de Francia de 1910

Octave Lapize con el ramo de ganador del Tour de Francia de 1910

Tras ser el primero en conquistar el Tourmalet, Octave Lapize se hizo con la victoria general del Tour de Francia en 1910. Era la segunda vez que participaba en la carrera gala y ganó cuatro etapas.

El propio nombre del puerto ya es una descripción en toda regla: Tourmalet en lengua gascona significa “montaña lejana”, en francés “camino de mal retorno”, y en ambos casos ciertamente cumple ese mal augurio: la ascensión dura algo más de 17 kilómetros desde el lado este y 19 desde el oeste, con una pendiente media de un 7% que supera el 10% al aproximarse a la cima, y 1.258 metros de desnivel. Es también uno de los puertos de montaña más altos del ciclismo profesional, con un máximo de 2115 metros de altitud. Los récords de tiempo se sitúan entre 47 y 48 minutos por la vertiente oriental, la más corta: un esfuerzo titánico incluso para ciclistas especializados en etapas de montaña .

Subida al Tourmalet en el Tour de Francia de 1959

Subida al Tourmalet en el Tour de Francia de 1959

Federico Bahamontes en la ascensión al Tourmalet en 1954

Federico Bahamontes en la ascensión al Tourmalet en 1954

Federico Bahamontes, apodado "el Águila de Toledo", en la ascensión al Tourmalet en 1954. Ese año ganó el Gran Premio de la montaña. En 1959 ganó el maillot amarillo, convirtiéndose en el primer ciclista español en ganar la clasificación general de la ronda gala.

A pesar de su dureza y de las críticas que provocó por parte de algunos ciclistas en los inicios de la carrera, lo cierto es que el Tourmalet se ha convertido en un lugar casi inevitable en el recorrido del Tour de Francia y en un mito para cicloturistas de todo el mundo , que sueñan conquistarlo al menos una vez e inmortalizar su gesto junto a la estatua del Gigante del Tourmalet, popularmente conocido como “el ciclista plateado”. ¿Y a quién representa? Pues nada más y nada menos que a Octave Lapize, el primero que coronó el mítico puerto el 21 de julio de 1910. Eso no impidió que siguiera diciendo, durante el resto de su carrera, que los responsables de haber introducido aquella etapa infernal eran unos asesinos.

Le Géant, obra de Jean-Bernard Métais

Le Géant, obra de Jean-Bernard Métais

La escultura, de 3 metros de alto, está situada en la cima del puerto. Recibe el apodo de "el ciclista plateado" o también "Octave".

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Col du Tourmalet visitor guide

Photo of Col du Tourmalet

Visit Col du Tourmalet, France

The Col du Tourmalet is the highest road in the Pyrenees, reaching 2,115 metres above sea-level at its highest point, in the mountains south of Lourdes and Bagneres-du-Bigorre. It is part of the route des cols , a route that crosses more than 30 mountain passes in the Pyrenees.

Explore the Col du Tourmalet

France This Way review: although I focus on cycling below, the Col du Tourmalet is a beautiful route with some of the most attractive scenery in the pyrenees to see, so I recommend you tak the trip across the col even if you are in a car!

The road that crosses the col can be followed from either the east, starting from Sainte-Marie-de-Campan, or the west starting from Luz-Saint-Sauveur . En route it passes through some of the most stunning mountain scenery in the Pyrenees.

Scenery on the Col du Tourmalet

Col du Tourmalet and the Tour de France

If it weren't for the Tour de France the route would doubtless lack its fame and notoriety. Particularly in the world of cycling the Col du Tourmalet is one of the most famous mountain passes, in particular because of its regular appearances as a mountain route in the Tour de France - in the century that the Tour de France has existed, the col du Tourmalet has featured more than 70 times.

First crossed by the Tour in 1910 when the road was little more than a rough track it is also one of the most challenging hill climbs in the Pyrenees, and many hopes and aspirations of winning the Tour have been made and lost on the steep road that crosses the pass.

Cycling the Col du Tourmalet

If you are planning to cycle the Col du Tourmalet yourself you are perhaps wondering if one direction is easier than the other?

The road from Luz-St-Sauveur (starting at 710 metres above sea level) covers 19km to reach the col, almost all at gradients between 7% and 10%, while the road from Sainte-Marie-de-Campan (starts at 850 metres above sea level) and takes 17.2km to reach the summit, at similar gradients after a slightly gentler first few kilometres.

The second of these routes passes by the ski resort of La Mongie about 5km before the summit, and is generally agreed to be the slightly easier of the two, but cyclists looking for an easy option won't be coming here in the first place I imagine!

Tribute to the Tour de France cyclists

Attractions nearby

From the col you can access the Pic du Midi, one of the highest peaks in the Pyrenees, and the Tourmalet ski region (the largest in the Pyrenees).

There is a great deal to enjoy in the Pyrenees National Park around the Col du Tourmalet for hikers, cyclists, skiers - and those who prefer to admire the scenery from their car!

The trip up the Pic du Midi is a highlight, and the town of Arreau to the east is one of our favourite towns in this region.

See more scenic highlights in France . You can find more travel ideas in the Hautes-Pyrenees guide and the Midi-Pyrenees guide .

Photos of Col du Tourmalet

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Map of col du tourmalet and places nearby, visit near col du tourmalet with france this way reviews.

Luz-Saint-Sauveur

Luz-Saint-Sauveur

The pleasant town of Luz-Saint-Sauveur is well placed to explore some lovely Pyreneean mountain scenery

Col d'Aspin

Col d'Aspin

The Col d'Aspin is an important mountain pass in the west of the Pyrenees

Arreau

Deep in the Pyrenees on a small river, Arreau is a delightful small town to explore

Saint-Savin

Saint-Savin

It is the abbey church in Saint-Savin, and the surrounding countryside, that make a visit recommended

Mont Perdu

Mont-Perdu is a natural highlight on the border between France and Spain near Gavarnie

Lourdes

Lourdes is of course very famous as a pilgrimage centre which attracts millions of pilgrims and visitors each year

... or see ALL recommended places to visit in Hautes-Pyrenees

The French version of this page is at Col du Tourmalet (Francais)

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Col de Tourmalet [Amazing photo from the 1953 Tour de France]

Col de Tourmalet [Amazing photo from the 1953 Tour de France]

An amazing photo from the 1953 Tour de France: Atop the misty heights of the Col du Tourmalet, a legendary pass in the challenging Pyrenees, thousands of enthusiastic spectators eagerly gathered. Their anticipation reached a fever pitch as a group of cyclists burst into view, swiftly traversing the mountainous terrain.

This electrifying spectacle marked the onset of the annual Tour de France, a breathtaking cycling extravaganza spanning a grueling 4,465 km over 21 intense days. Millions of avid fans lined the route, cheering on their cycling heroes as they raced through picturesque towns that vied for the honor of hosting the Tour or providing a resting place for the athletes.

Col de Tourmalet [Amazing photo from the 1953 Tour de France]

Such was the fervor of the spectators that in times past, they had been known to go to great lengths to assist their favorite riders. Some daring souls even doused the cyclists with invigorating cold water to combat the heat of competition, while others offered a helpful push to propel them forward.

Col du Tourmalet - The statue of Octave Lapize

Related: You are murderers! Yes, murderers! [The story of the Col du Tourmalet]

1953 Tour de France

The 1953 Tour de France marked the 40th edition of this illustrious cycling event, spanning from July 3rd to July 26th. Over the course of this grueling competition, cyclists traversed a challenging route comprising 22 stages, covering a staggering distance of 4,476 kilometers (2,781 miles).

This historic edition of the Tour witnessed the remarkable triumph of Louison Bobet, the first of his three consecutive victories. Initially, internal strife within the French national team posed a challenge for Bobet, but as the team rallied together, he overcame regional standout Jean Malléjac in the mountainous terrain.

Notably, 1953 heralded the introduction of the points classification, which awarded the coveted green jersey to its leader. This inaugural title was claimed by Fritz Schär.

Innovations and adjustments to the Tour’s format were implemented. Only a single time trial was featured, compared to the previous year’s two. The time bonus for the first cyclist to crest a mountain summit was abolished, and there were fewer mountain stages. Additionally, the number of cyclists per team was expanded from 8 to 10. These changes stirred controversy, as they appeared to favor French riders, much to the detriment of the reigning champion, Fausto Coppi , who had excelled in time trials and mountain stages the previous year.

The 1953 Tour de France continued the tradition of national and regional teams, with seven national teams comprising 10 cyclists each from Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Spain, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and France. France further bolstered its presence with five regional teams, each comprising 10 cyclists, representing Île-de-France, Center-North East France, South-East, West, and South West. With one Luxembourgian cyclist opting not to start, the race commenced with 119 determined cyclists.

Notably absent from the race was the defending champion, Fausto Coppi, for reasons shrouded in mystery. Speculation surrounded his absence, ranging from potential injuries to disagreements within the Italian team or directives from the Tour organizers. This left the stage open for favorites such as Hugo Koblet and the eventual victor, Louison Bobet, to captivate cycling enthusiasts worldwide.

Ottavio Bottecchia climbing Col du Tourmalet, Tour de France 1924 (colorized)

Related: Ottavio Bottecchia climbing Col du Tourmalet, Tour de France 1924

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Ciclismo Épico

Logo Ciclismo Epico

Tourmalet, la leyenda de los Pirineos y el Tour de Francia

Si hay un paso de montaña que apunte a la verdadera esencia del ciclismo épico este es el Col du Tourmalet . En los más de 100 años de historia de la ronda gala se ha superado en más de 80 ocasiones y aunque tan solo dos veces ha sido final de etapa las rampas de este paso montañoso de 2.115m –el más alto de los pirineos franceses- han sido testigo de ataques ultramíticos y de desfallecimientos históricos a decenas de kilómetros para la meta.

ÍNDICE DE CONTENIDOS

1. PERFIL (ALTIMETRÍA) 2. MEJORES TIEMPOS 3. STRAVA 4. CÓMO SUBIR EL COL DU TOURMALET 5. FOTOS

tourmalet tour de francia

Su propio nombre, que en el dialecto gascón significa mal retorno , resume perfectamente lo que es este col . Y es que la historia del Tourmalet comenzó incluso antes de subirse en carrera por primera vez en 1910.

Todo nació de una mentira

Por aquella época Alphonse Steinès, un periodista que se encargaba de confeccionar los recorridos del Tour de Francia se acercó a los Pirineos para dar el visto bueno a una serie de puertos que a posteriori han marcado el devenir de la prueba. Tras superar Aubisque y Aspin sin inconvenientes, Steinès arrancó desde el enigmático pueblo de Sainte-Marie de Campan su particular ascensión a este gran coloso en el que casi pierde la vida.

La nieve primaveral le impidió continuar en coche y decidió avanzar a pie lo que restaba de puerto . Pasaron horas y horas hasta que el reportero luxemburgués fue hallado bien entrada la noche muy cerca del pueblo de Barèges con principios de hipotermia debido a las bajas temperaturas . Sin embargo, a la mañana siguiente escribió un escueto telegrama a la organización en el que decía: “ Pasado el Tourmalet. Ruta en buen estado. Perfectamente practicable.”

Col du Tourmalet Lapize

Avión de guerra nº 4

Octave Lapize tenía 29 años cuando en un descampado de Verdún apareció su cuerpo con cinco heridas de bala, pilotaba una aeronave del ejército francés durante I Guerra Mundial, en el fuselaje el número 4. El mismo dorsal con el que siete años antes se convirtió en el primer ciclista en coronar el Col du Tourmalet tras 326 kilómetros de etapa.

Cuenta la leyenda que Lapize se encaró con los organizadores al grito de asesinos

Por aquel entonces las carreteras pirenaicas eran intransitables y tuvo incluso que apartar piedras del camino para completar la ascensión. Fue la única vez que Lapize logró llegar a París, eso sí, vestido de amarillo.

La victoria más bella de Eddy Merckx

En 1969, el mejor ciclista de la historia -cinco Tours, cinco Giros, una Vuelta, récord de la hora, tres arco iris y un buen puñado de monumentos y clásicas- protagonizó una de las mayores gestas ciclistas que se recuerdan. Por aquel entonces Eddy Merckx , que debutaba en el Tour de Francia , ya había dejado destellos de su clase con la consecución de su primer Giro aplastando en Tre Cima di Lavaredo a Felice Gimondi. Sin embargo, su victoria más épica estaba por llegar…

Eddy Merck Tourmalet 1969

Se disputaba la etapa reina con el Tourmalet a más de 100 de meta. Ese día El Caníbal andaba enrabietado, su fiel gregario Vandenbossche acaba de anunciar que dejaba las filas del Faema y en su país natal su mujer estaba a punto de dar a luz a Sabrina Mercxk, su primera hija. «Cuando lleguen los demás yo me estaré duchando» , alardeó el belga en la salida de Bagnères-de-Luchon.

Para ese día Merckx tenía prácticamente asegurada la general y los más de 60 kilómetros llanos del final de etapa auguraban un día de tregua entre los gerifaltes. Superados Aspin y Peyresourde todo iba según lo previsto, pero en pleno Tourmalet El Caníbal decidió romper las hostilidades, pasó primero por la cima y se lanzó a tumba abierta. Lo siguiente fue superar el Aubisque y recorrer en solitario los más de 60 kilómetros llanos hasta Mourenx. No sabemos si ese día Eddy Merckx se duchó antes de que llegasen sus rivales. Lo que sí sabemos es que tiempo tuvo pues el segundo corredor en cruzar la meta tardo más de ocho minutos.

El descenso de Miguel Induráin

Una gran vuelta se puede decidir subiendo y también bajando. En la década de los 90 el corredor suizo Tony Rominger destacaba por ser el mejor bajador del pelotón. Era el año 93 y Miguel Induráin vivía el Tour de Francia en calidad de observador. A falta de una etapa de montaña la diferencia respecto sus rivales era superior a los 4 minutos.

Ese día el Tourmalet atemorizó a todos los aficionados españoles. Rominger lo corona en cabeza y el pelotón liderado por Induráin pasa a 50 segundos. El suizo -hábil con su bicicleta- se lanza por las faldas del coloso pirenaico a tumba abierta, 18 kilómetros de vértigo donde Rominger que va a más en el Tour puede poner en apuros al navarro y con un Aubisque aún por subir. La realización no muestra a Induráin hasta que antes de llegar a Luz Saint-Sauveur aparece pegado a la rueda del suizo. Un descenso épico.

Indurain Rominguer 1993

El club de los cinco

Corría el año 2003 y a Lance Armstrong le quedaba un Tourmalet y una contrarreloj individual de 49 kilómetros para hacer historia e igualar con cinco Tours a los más grandes: Induráin, Anquetil, Hinault y Merckx.

Caído Beloki. Solo su rival de siempre, Jan Ullrich, más fuerte que nunca, amenazaba la hegemonía del tejano. Ulle había recuperado 1m 36s en la contrarreloj de Cap Découverte y tan solo restaba una etapa de montaña y una CRI de 49 kilómetros antes de llegar a París.

La diferencia de 15 segundos presumiblemente no le alcanzaba al corredor del US Postal para entrar en la gloria y el Tourmalet de nuevo iba a dictar sentencia. Por primera vez Ullrich no necesitaba atacar, pero llevaba la cara de los grandes días, y con un ritmo asfixiante puso en jaque la carrera con un ataque a ritmo a ocho kilómetros para coronar y con Luz Ardiden todavía por subir.

La imagen de Armstrong buscando con la mirada el maillot del Bianchi de Ulle en los túneles del 9% antes de llegar a La Mongie anunciaban la caída del mito. Nada de eso pasó. El americano destrozó al alemán moralmente durante todo el ascenso controlando la diferencia y terminó por rematarlo entrando así en el club de los cinco .

Contador vs Schleck

En el centenario de la primera ascensión al Tourmalet la carrera decidió rendir homenaje a su puerto fetiche situándolo como final de etapa por segunda vez en su historia y esta vez más decisivo que nunca.

Dos de los mejores escaladores del ciclismo moderno, Andy Schleck y Alberto Contador, eran los claros dominadores de la carrera, pero entre ambos saltaban chipas. El de España venía de enfundarse el maillot jaune en una polémica etapa donde el pequeño de los Schleck se vio afectado por una avería mecánica en el Port de Balés, Contador no esperó y partía con tan solo 8 segundos de ventaja al mítico coloso.

El Saxo Bank quemó todas sus naves -de Cancellara a Jakob Fuglsang- para endurecer la carrera, y a 10 kilómetros para la meta Andy Schleck lanzó un ataque demoledor entre la niebla. El español aguantó esa embestida y muchas otras más, hasta incluso se animó a probarlo, pero como si fuesen dos púgiles tras escuchar la campana del último round se dieron la mano en meta y Contador ganó el Tour de Francia 2010 y Andy Schleck la etapa.

Autor: Javier Cosío

Perfil Tourmalet (Altimetría)

Desde campan.

Altimetria Tourmalet desde Sainte-Marie Campan

Fuente: altimetrias.com

Desde Luz Saint-Sauveur

Altimetria de Tourmalet desde Luz Saint Sauver

Mejores tiempos de subida (desde Campan)

Strava (tiempos).

Strava Tourmalet

Ver mejores tiempos

Cómo subir al Tourmalet

El ascenso a este hors category se puede realizar desde dos vertientes, ambas son igual de atractivas, pero por la belleza del descenso hacia Luz Saint-Sauveur recomendamos el ascenso desde  Bagnères-de-Bigorre , una subida que en realidad arranca en Campan y que tiene 23 kilómetros con un arranque más tendido.

Una de las exquisiteces que tiene esta subida legendaria de los Pirineos es que se puede combinar con una gran variedad de colosos como Aspin, Aubisque o Luz Ardiden por mencionar algunos.

La subida se compone de dos grandes bloques. Los primeros once kilómetros donde la pendiente media por kilómetro nunca llega al 7%. Y los últimos doce, donde la pendiente media no baja del 8% de desnivel.

La primera parte es sumamente sencilla exceptuando un par de rampas duras del 10% al pasar el pueblo de Sainte-Marie de Campan. Los kilómetros van haciendo mella y el primer túnel –si las piernas no te lo han indicado ya– marcan el inicio del segundo bloque al paso por el pequeño pueblo de Gripp.

Lo que viene luego tiene aroma de ciclismo épico. Si no te apellidas Pantani lo más probable es que hayas llegado a la hora de esfuerzo y todavía no divises las galerías anti avalanchas que te transportan a las tardes de julio en esos días donde la siesta está prohibida. Aquí la pendiente nunca baja del 9%.

El siguiente paso es llegar a la estación de esquí La Mongie a cuatro kilómetros de la cima. Sigue subiendo que no queda nada después de La Mongie. Solo lo peor. Los últimos mil metros son los más duros, al 10,1% y con una rampa de 13% -la máxima de todo el puerto- como colofón. Si la superas a la derecha de la carretera una escultura gigante plateada en memoria de Octave Lapize te espera en la cumbre. Desafío logrado 😊

Fuente: www.gettyimages.com

Tourmalet Ullrich vs Armstrong

Otros puertos de montaña

Paso Stelvio

Passo dello Stelvio

  • 2.758 metros
  • 21,9 kilómetros
  • 7.12% media
  • 1.560m de ascenso

Col de Izoard

Col d’Izoard

  • 2.360 metros
  • 19,2 kilómetros
  • 5.92% media
  • 1.136m de ascenso

Passo di Gavia

Passo di Gavia

  • 2.621 metros
  • 20,7 kilómetros
  • 1.366m de ascenso
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Montefusco Cycling Barcelona

  • Col du Tourmalet in the Tour de France
  • March 31, 2020 August 5, 2023
  • Climbs , Destinations , Events , supported trip

Col du Tourmalet-Pyrenees

(Updated July 2023)

The Tour de France has crossed Col du Tourmalet in so many years since 1910, in which was crossed for the first time. It is the most used climb in Tour de France history.

Getting the first position at the top of Col du Tourmalet is a big honour for every cyclist. Some say that it is worth a whole cycling career. Only a climber can get the first position at the summit as it is a really demanding climb.

At the top of the climb there is a monument dedicated to Jacques Goddet (Tour de France director between 1936 and 1987).

The  Souvenir Jacques Goddet  is an award and cash prize in the  Tour de France  bicycle race that began in 2001. The Souvenir is named in honour of the historically second  Tour de France  director and French sports journalist  Jacques Goddet . It is awarded to the first rider to reach the summit of the 2,115 m (6,939 ft)-high  Col du Tourmalet . 

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These Are the Hardest Climbs in the 2023 Tour de France

The 2023 Tour de France is widely considered to be the most mountainous in decades, with a steady dose of climbing from start to finish. Here’s a look at six of the toughest.

45th la route d'occitanie la depeche du midi 2021 stage 3

This early Pyrenean sojourn is one of the reasons why the 2023 Tour de France is widely considered to be the most mountainous in decades, with 30 climbs having received Category 2, Category 1, or hors catégorie (“beyond category”) ratings. Of these 30 climbs, here’s a look at the six toughest:

Col du Tourmalet - Stage 6

One of the most famous climbs in Tour de France history, the hors catégorie Col du Tourmalet is truly the stuff of legend. A dirt road used by farmers to travel between high mountain pastures, the climb was first included during the 1910 Tour de France.

But while stage winner Octave Lapize climbed it during Stage 10, he (allegedly) yelled, “Vous êtes des assassins! Oui, des assassins!” when passing the Tour’s organizers. Whether or not Lapize actually called them “murderers” is up for debate, but the climb’s difficulty is not: no matter from which side the riders climb it, it’s always one of the highlights of the Tour.

On Stage 6 the riders will tackle it from the east, which means they face 17.1km of climbing with an average gradient of 7.3 percent. The second half of the climb is the toughest, with several kilometers of pitches hovering between 9 and 10 percent. And at 2,115m of altitude, the Tourmalet is also the highest climb the riders will summit in the Pyrenees during this year’s Tour, which means the Souvenir Jacques Goddet prize will go to the first rider over the summit.

From the summit, a long downhill ride takes the racers back down to the valley floor, where the “only” obstacle standing between them and the finish line is the Category 1 climb to Cauterets-Cambasque. It’s only the first week, but this stage could blow the race wide open.

Puy de Dôme - Stage 9

An extinct volcano rising above the Massif Central, the Puy de Dôme is one of the most famous climbs in Tour history. First included in 1952–when Italian legend Fausto Coppi was the first to the summit–it’s since been the scene of some of the Tour’s most famous exploits, battles, and controversies .

But it was closed to motorized traffic in the late-80s, making Denmark’s Johnny Weltz the last rider to conquer the volcano’s steep slopes (in 1988). After years of trying, the Tour’s organizers have convinced local officials to let the race return, which means 35 years after its last appearance, the riders will tackle the 13.3km ascent at the end of Stage 9.

The 13.3km hors catégorie climb begins steadily, with an average gradient that hovers around 7 percent for the first 9km. But the pitch steepens significantly once the riders hit the parking lot that’s the last stop for tourists wishing to take the railway to the summit. Here the pitches go above 11 percent, as the riders hit the access road that’s traditionally been closed to them since the railway was constructed. These final 4km average close to 12 percent and the road narrows considerably as the riders wind their way up the treeless summit.

Legends like Fausto Coppi, Federico Bahamontes, Luis Ocaña, and Joop Zoetemelk have won here. Frenchman Raymond Poulidor and Jacques Anquetil waged an epic side-by-side battle to the summit here in 1964.

And sadly, Belgium’s Eddy Merckx was punched in the stomach here in 1975, injuring his kidney and likely ending his career . It’s a perfect climb for a rider like Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma), who will certainly do his best to continue his nation’s winning streak.

Grand Colombier - Stage 13

Stage 13 heads into the Jura—the third of the five mountain ranges visited by the 2023 Tour de France—with a summit finish on top of the hors catégorie Grand Colombier, a steep climb with four different—and challenging—roads to the summit. In fact, each year local cyclists organize a ride that loops together all four ascents in a particularly sadistic celebration of the mountain.

There are four routes to the summit, and each year local cyclists organize a ride that loops together all of them in a painful celebration of the mountain. This year the riders will tackle it just once–from Culoz–with an approach offering 17.4km of climbing and an average gradient of 7.4 percent with pitches that hit 12 percent in two places.

The stage itself is relatively short and there are no other categorized climbs on the route, so the riders should hit the bottom of Colombier in one large group, which means we should be treated to a battle among the GC contenders to win the stage. It’s also Bastille Day, which means the roads will be lined with fans and French riders will be exceptionally motivated.

The Tour originally visited the climb in 2012 and again in 2017, with the riders both climbing and descending the col. It was first used as a summit finish in 2020, when Slovenia’s Tadej Pogačar won the stage on his way to winning his first Tour.

Col de Joux Plane - Stage 14

The hors catégorie Col de Joux Plane isn’t one of the most famous climbs in the Tour de France, but it should be. 11.6km in length, the Alpine ascent has a rather high average gradient (8.5 percent) most of which comes (aside from a steep ramp right at the base) during the upper half of the climb. It’s rather exposed, and riders have remarked that the road just seems to climb into the sky.

Some of the area’s most stunning views of Mont Blanc can be seen from the summit as the road loops around a lake. A false descent takes the riders over the summit of the nearby Col du Ranfolly at which point the true downhill begins, with the road plunging down toward Morzine via a rather technical descent.

Sandwiched between two other tough days of climbings, the ascent comes at the end of Stage 14 this year, a hard slog through the Alps with four other categorized ascents. And with 8, 5, and 2 bonus seconds available to the first three riders over the summit, we could see the Tour’s GC contenders keep the breakaway close in a bid to claim those bonuses for themselves. The climb–and the descent into Morzine–will be one of the highlights of this challenging mountain weekend.

Col de La Loze - Stage 17

The hors catégorie Col de la Loze (21.5km at 7.8 percent), looms above the Méribel ski resort, which the Tour famously visited in 1973, when Frenchman Bernard Thevenet won the stage but was unable to gain significant time on Spain’s Luis Ocaña, who went on to win the Tour. The race hadn’t been back since, but the construction of a new bike path from the resort to the summit of the nearby Col de la Loze gave the Tour’s organizers a good reason to return in 2020.

Stage 17 takes the Tour back over the hors categorie ascent this year, with the riders facing a 28km climb to the 2,304m summit, with a pitch near the summit that hits 24 percent. This marked the end of the stage in 2020, but this year the riders will crest the summit and descend 6km down the other side, where a steep, 18 percent ramp to the finish line in Courchevel awaits.

One of the highest paved roads in France, the first rider to the Col de la Loze takes home the Souvenir Henri Desgrange cash prize for winning the highest overall summit in the 2023 Tour.

Col du Platzerwasel - Stage 20

The 2023 Tour de France saves its final mountainous punch for Stage 20, a short, explosive stage through the Vosges mountains with a total of 3,600m of elevation gain spread over six categorized climbs. Of these, the Category 1 Col du Platzerwasel is the toughest, with 7.3km of climbing and an average gradient of 8.4 percent. And the road keeps ascending through the official summit, with a few more kilometers of uphill road before the finish at the Le Markstein ski resort.

Overall it’s not the absolute toughest climb in the entire 2023 Tour de France, but at the end of such an intense stage–and at the end of such a mountainous Tour–it will certainly make for an explosive finale. If the climb produces a finish similar to what we saw during Stage 7 of last year’s Tour de France Femmes , when the Netherlands’ Annemiek van Vleuten (Movistar) used the climb to seize control of the race , fans will be in for a treat.

Since getting hooked on pro cycling while watching Lance Armstrong win the 1993 U.S. Pro Championship in Philadelphia, longtime Bicycling contributor Whit Yost has raced on Belgian cobbles, helped build a European pro team, and piloted that team from Malaysia to Mont Ventoux as an assistant director sportif. These days, he lives with his wife and son in Pennsylvania, spending his days serving as an assistant middle school principal and his nights playing Dungeons & Dragons.

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IMAGES

  1. El Peloton En Col Du Tourmalet

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  2. Tour de Francia: El Tourmalet, la etapa de hoy

    tourmalet tour de francia

  3. El Tourmalet y la ruta de los puertos de Tour de Francia

    tourmalet tour de francia

  4. Il Peloton Su Col Du Tourmalet

    tourmalet tour de francia

  5. Tourmalet

    tourmalet tour de francia

  6. "Remnants of the peloton ascending the Tourmalet" Tour de France 2012

    tourmalet tour de francia

COMMENTS

  1. Col du Tourmalet

    In 2023, the climb was featured in the Tour de France Femmes for the first time, as the queen stage of the race. Origins in the Tour The Col du Tourmalet being climbed in the 1910 Tour de France. The Pyrenees were included in the Tour de France at the insistence of Alphonse Steinès, a colleague of the organiser, Henri Desgrange. He told the ...

  2. Col du Tourmalet: The crowning climb of the 2023 Tour de France Femmes

    The location. Tour de France Femmes 2023 (Image credit: ASO) The Col du Tourmalet sits in the Pyrenees, a mountain range which straddles the Spanish border and is just about as far from Paris as ...

  3. Col Du Tourmalet: Cyclist's Guide To A Legendary Climb

    The Col du Tourmalet was - quite literally - built for the Tour de France. In its earliest years, the Tour de France steered well clear of the fearsome peaks of the Alps and Pyrenees. The Tour's first major climb - the Ballon d'Alsace (1178m) in the relatively gentle Vosges mountains - came in the race's third edition in 1905.

  4. Tour de France Stage 6 Preview: The Col du Tourmalet Awaits

    After Stage 5 blew apart the 2023 Tour de France, Stage 6 could produce similar fireworks with a short, ... the Hors Categorie Col du Tourmalet, and the Category 1 climb to the finish in Cauterets

  5. Tour de France Femmes: Demi Vollering takes yellow jersey on Tourmalet

    — Le Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift (@LeTourFemmes) July 29, 2023 29 Jul 2023 11.35 EDT 41km to go: The breakaway has been caught as the riders begin the climb up the 12km Col d'Aspin.

  6. Exploring the mythical Col du Tourmalet ahead of historic Tour de

    When a Tour de France stage finished on the Col du Tourmalet in 2010, I decided to hike from the media center in La Mongie up to the top. I walked those last 4 kilometers of the col's eastern side through a cold, misty drizzle, climbing through 1,125 feet (343 meters) to the 6,939 feet (2,115 meters) summit.

  7. The Tour de France Femmes Takes on the Tourmalet

    Over sixty climbs in the Tour de France, the Col du Tourmalet has long been a kingmaker. Now, during Stage 7 of the 2023 Tour de France Femmes on Saturday, this legendary grade has the chance to ...

  8. Tour de France Stage 6 Features Col du Tourmalet Climb: Here ...

    Stage 6 of the Tour de France features the tour's first "Hors catégorie" mountain. The entire route is full of mountains that could be the perfect opportunity for climbers to take the spotlight. Two-time stage winner, Jasper Philipsen rides into stage 6 with the green jersey. The sprinter snatched the position from Adam Yates on stage 3 of ...

  9. Tour de France 2023: All Hail the Tourmalet

    The Tourmalet climbs 1,267 meters over a 7-kilometer stretch, with an average grade of 7.4 percent and a maximum slope of 11 percent. At its peak, the Tourmalet sits 2,115 meters above sea level ...

  10. Icon of the Tour de France: the Col du Tourmalet

    published July 19, 2019. The father of all mountain climbs, the Col du Tourmalet, in July 1910 took racing cyclists higher than they had ever been before. Stage 10 of the 1910 Tour de France ...

  11. Col du Tourmalet Bike Climb Guide

    The average grade of Col du Tourmalet from Luz-Saint-Sauveur averages 7.1%. The grade throughout the climb is remarkably consistent: 88% (16.5 kilometers) are at 5-10% grade. The steepest 500 meters is 9.7% and steepest continuous kilometer 9.2%. See more details and tools regarding this climb's grade via the "Profile Tool" button.

  12. 30 facts about the Col du Tourmalet

    2 Octave Lapize was the first rider to cross the Col du Tourmalet in the 1910 Tour de France, having to walk much of the dirt road ascent. Lapize would win the stage and later the overall GC, the ...

  13. Col du Tourmalet and Col d'Aspin

    The Col du Tourmalet was first used in 1910. At the summit, Octave Lapize, the winner, shouted "You are assassins. Yes assassins," at Tour de France officials. In 1952, the legendary Fausto Coppi crested the Col du Tourmalet first in stage 18 of the Tour de France en route to victory in Pau and his second and final overall Tour de France win.

  14. In-depth guide to cycling the Pyrenees (inc Col du Tourmalet)

    Ride a Stage of the Tour De France: The Legendary Climbs and How to Ride Them by Kristian Bauer has a slightly more detailed look at the Col d'Aubisque, Luz-Ardiden, Hautacam, Tourmalet and Aspin. Mapping Le Tour by Ellis Bacon has a page for each edition of the Tour de France and a section at the back that focuses on many of the climbs of ...

  15. Cycling the Col du Tourmalet

    The Souvenir Jacques Goddet is the prize award given to the quickest Tour de France rider across the Col du. Cycling the Col du Tourmalet is on most cyclist's bucket list. ... Perfectly feasible",, and the road was built. The climb became immortalised in legend on stage 10 of the 1910 Tour de France, which featured the dreaded Tourmalet for ...

  16. El Tourmalet, historia de una leyenda del Tour de Francia

    El Tourmalet fue incluido por primera vez en el recorrido de la 8ª edición del Tour de Francia, en 1910. Henri Desgrange, uno de los fundadores de la carrera, envió al periodista deportivo Alphonse Steinès a los Pirineos con la misión de descubrir una etapa de montaña que supusiera un reto para los ciclistas.

  17. Col du Tourmalet, France: travel guide, tourism and cycling

    Col du Tourmalet and the Tour de France. If it weren't for the Tour de France the route would doubtless lack its fame and notoriety. Particularly in the world of cycling the Col du Tourmalet is one of the most famous mountain passes, in particular because of its regular appearances as a mountain route in the Tour de France - in the century that ...

  18. Tour de France 2023: We Examine the Pro's Strava Data on the Tourmalet

    We examine the Strava data from five Tour de France racers—including Stage 6 winner Tadej Pogačar. Take a bow—but don't forget to pause your cycling computer, Tadej! But seriously— today ...

  19. Col du Tourmalet

    Ubicación (Francia). /  42.906944, 0.148056. El Col du Tourmalet, o simplemente Tourmalet, es un paso montañoso localizado en el centro de los Pirineos franceses. Tiene una altitud de 2115 metros sobre el nivel del mar . El puerto de montaña permanece cerrado durante la temporada invernal, tiempo en el que forma parte del dominio ...

  20. Col de Tourmalet [Amazing photo from the 1953 Tour de France]

    1953 Tour de France. The 1953 Tour de France marked the 40th edition of this illustrious cycling event, spanning from July 3rd to July 26th. Over the course of this grueling competition, cyclists traversed a challenging route comprising 22 stages, covering a staggering distance of 4,476 kilometers (2,781 miles).

  21. Tour de France 2019 Stage 14 Highlights: Col du Tourmalet ...

    Finishing on the summit of the fearsome Tourmalet, today's stage of the Tour de France was only 117.5km and made for an exciting and fast race from the begin...

  22. Tourmalet, la leyenda de los Pirineos y el Tour de Francia

    Tourmalet, la leyenda de los Pirineos y el Tour de Francia. Si hay un paso de montaña que apunte a la verdadera esencia del ciclismo épico este es el Col du Tourmalet. En los más de 100 años de historia de la ronda gala se ha superado en más de 80 ocasiones y aunque tan solo dos veces ha sido final de etapa las rampas de este paso ...

  23. Tour de France 2024

    Tour de France 2024; Datum: 29. června - 21. července 2024: Start: Florencie: Cíl: Nice: Počet etap: 21: Celková délka: 3492 km: 111. ročník etapového cyklistického závodu Tour de France se bude konat mezi 29. červnem a 21. červencem 2024 ve Francii a Itálii.

  24. Col du Tourmalet in the Tour de France

    Montefusco. Climbs, Destinations, Events, supported trip. (Updated July 2023) The Tour de France has crossed Col du Tourmalet in so many years since 1910, in which was crossed for the first time. It is the most used climb in Tour de France history. Getting the first position at the top of Col du Tourmalet is a big honour for every cyclist.

  25. These Are the Hardest Climbs in the 2023 Tour de France

    Col du Platzerwasel - Stage 20. The 2023 Tour de France saves its final mountainous punch for Stage 20, a short, explosive stage through the Vosges mountains with a total of 3,600m of elevation ...

  26. 2024 Tour de France

    The 2024 Tour de France will be the 111th edition of the Tour de France.It will start in Florence, Italy on 29 June, and will finish in Nice, France on the 21 July.The race will not finish in (or near) Paris for the first time since its inception, owing to preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.