A Tour de France without the Tourmalet is a ride missing a legend. Think fondue without cheese—the mountain earns its storied reputation among French racing fans and cycling devotees alike. Here are the points that back up that claim.
More than a century on wheels
The Tourmalet first rose to fame in 1910 as the earliest summit over 2,000 meters to be conquered in the Tour de France. Octave Lapize stood atop the peak and reportedly told the organizers, You are the murderer, as the climb challenged the riders with its brutal gradients and snow-capped majesty. This moment established Tourmalet as a defining test of endurance and nerve in the race’s early history, a symbol of mountain prowess that would echo through generations of cyclists. It is a reminder that the Tour de France is not merely a race but a pilgrimage over steel and stone that tests mind and body in equal measure.
A Pyrenean monument
Within the Pyrenees, Tourmalet stands as a central pillar among what many call the four great monuments of the mountains that shape the race. Alongside Aubisque, Aspin, and Peyresourde, it forms part of the storied ring around this rugged range, a circle that has long represented the ultimate obstacle for climbers. The mountain’s granite teeth and sweeping switchbacks have carved a place in cycling lore, where grit meets spectacular scenery and the crowd’s roar becomes part of the ascent. This is not just a climb; it is a rite of passage for those chasing glory on two wheels.
Bahamontes Conservation Area
Federico Martín Bahamontes, widely known as the Eagle of Toledo, left an indelible mark on the sport. As the first Spanish-born rider to win the Tour de France, his triumph on this terrain cemented his place in cycling history. The Bahamontes legacy is remembered not only for the victory but for the fearless style that defined an era, a reminder of how one rider’s audacity can elevate a climb into legend and inspire generations of climbers who follow in his tire tracks.
That’s where it all started for Indurain
In 1991, Miguel Indurain began his epic pursuit of the Tour de France title on the Tourmalet, a climb that would become a turning point in his career. He would go on to win the race in 1992 and announce his dominance in the following years, fending off relentless challengers, including the formidable Swiss rider Tony Rominger. The mountain is often remembered as the stage where Indurain’s resolve and smooth power output set the tone for a dynasty that reshaped how modern stage racing is understood and contested.
Amateur cyclist’s paradise
For any cycling enthusiast, the Tourmalet represents a personal rite of passage. It is the kind of climb that converts a casual rider into someone who understands the rhythm of a pro ascent. Across history, many of the sport’s greats have tested themselves here, and summiting the Tourmalet is widely regarded as earning a lifelong, unofficial diploma for amateur cyclists who dream of a taste of the pro world.
2023 exception
In 2023, the Tourmalet again proved its status as a magnet for dramatic moments. The route featured three separate passes within the same event, including two on the final stages of the Tour stage. The first notable moment arrived on July 6, when the pass in Stage 6 provided a decisive turning point in the race. On July 29, the Tour Femmes staged the mountain’s first ever ascent run by the women’s competition, highlighting a new era for women in the sport. Finally, on September 8, the Vuelta a España completed its stage on the Tourmalet, marking the first time the mountain saw a grand tour finish in that race. Earlier plans to include the ascent in 2020 were thwarted by external events that paused racing, making the 2023 edition feel like a long-awaited return for fans and participants alike. This convergence of major events underlines the Tourmalet’s enduring role in professional cycling and its capacity to unite different disciplines around a single iconic climb. Marked moments in history are often written on this summit, where ambition meets altitude and spectatorship meets sport.