Long before GPS maps and power meters, the Pyrenees were the Tour de France’s wild frontier — a place of suffering and spectacle, where legends were born and mythologies were forged in sweat and fog. From the very first time the peloton dared cross the Col du Tourmalet in 1910, the Pyrenees have been the spiritual proving grounds of the Tour.
The 20th century offered no shortage of drama in these mountains — from heroic solos to heartbreaking collapses, and from fierce rivalries to unforgettable climbs that rewrote the race’s history.
Here are the 10 most thrilling Pyrenees stages from the 1900s.
1. 1969 – Stage 17: Luchon to Mourenx
Winner: Eddy Merckx
Key Climbs: Peyresourde, Aspin, Tourmalet, Aubisque
Why It Was Legendary: This is arguably the greatest solo ride in Tour history. Merckx attacked with over 140 km to go, going clear on the Tourmalet and never looking back. He crossed four major Pyrenean passes alone and won by nearly 8 minutes, crushing the GC and demoralizing his rivals.
It was Merckx at his most ruthless — not just racing to win, but to obliterate. This ride defined the term “Cannibal.”
2. 1959 – Stage 17: Saint-Gaudens to Col de l’Aubisque
Winner: Federico Bahamontes
Key Climbs: Aspin, Tourmalet, Aubisque
Why It Was Legendary: The “Eagle of Toledo” soared in this stage, launching a long-range attack in the high mountains and stamping his authority as the era’s greatest climber. Behind him, Jacques Anquetil faltered, and Roger Rivière’s tactical errors cost him the yellow jersey.
This was the stage that ultimately set up Bahomontes’ overall victory — the first ever by a Spaniard. A mountain masterclass.
3. 1983 – Stage 17: Bagnères-de-Luchon to Fleurance
Winner: Robert Millar (Philippa York)
Key Climbs: Peyresourde, Aspin, Tourmalet, Aubisque
Why It Was Legendary: Scotland’s Robert Millar (now Philippa York) put on a fearless climbing display, taking the fight to the French and Spaniards in their own backyard. Attacking solo early and riding with metronomic pacing, Millar dropped the peloton on the Tourmalet and took an emotional and op emphatic win — one of the first ever by a Brit in the high mountains.
4. 1983 – Stage 15: Fleurance to Bagnères-de-Luchon
Winner: Ángel Arroyo
Key Climbs: Portet-d’Aspet, Col de Menté, Col du Portillon
Why It Was Legendary: Just two days before Millar’s big win, Ángel Arroyo launched an audacious attack through the eastern Pyrenees, dropping all GC favorites and briefly moving into serious contention for yellow. The final climb, Portillon, was full of fog, with roaring Basque fans lining the roads as Arroyo disappeared into the mist. It was one of the most aggressive attacks of the Tour that year.
5. 1971 – Stage 11: Gourette to Luchon
Winner: Lucien Van Impe
Key Climbs: Aubisque, Tourmalet, Aspin, Peyresourde
Why It Was Legendary:This was the turning point of the ’71 Tour, when Luis Ocaña attacked Merckx with devastating force. On the descent of the Col de Menté in torrential rain, Ocaña crashed, and Merckx, displaying rare hesitation, also fell. Though Lucien Van Impe won the stage, the chaos behind changed everything — Ocaña would take yellow the next day, only to crash out later. A stage that dripped with suspense, drama, and controversy.
6. 1947 – Stage 15: Luchon to Pau
Winner: Jean Robic
Key Climbs: Peyresourde, Aspin, Tourmalet
Why It Was Legendary: This stage formed the crucible of Jean Robic’s legendary 1947 comeback. Robic and Brambilla, neither of them GC favorites, attacked early and stunned everyone. Robic eventually took enough time to win the Tour on the final day — the first post-war Tour victory and a symbol of French resilience.
7. 1986 – Stage 17: Pau to Superbagnères
Winner: Greg LeMond
Key Climbs: Tourmalet, Aspin, Peyresourde, Superbagnères
Why It Was Legendary: Team dynamics don’t get more dramatic than LeMond vs. Hinault. Though teammates, their rivalry reached fever pitch in this stage. Hinault attacked early, trying to win the Tour himself, but LeMond chased him down over multiple climbs. On Superbagnères, LeMond counterattacked and dropped everyone, taking the yellow jersey and cementing his authority.
8. 1976 – Stage 14: Saint-Gaudens to Saint-Lary-Soulan (Pla d’Adet)
Winner: Lucien Van Impe
Key Climbs: Val-Louron, Pla d’Adet
Why It Was Legendary: Frenchman Bernard Thévenet was leading the Tour, but Belgian climbing legend Van Impe was not done yet. On the punishing ascent to Pla d’Adet, Van Impe attacked with surgical precision and took over the race lead — eventually winning the Tour. It was a masterful example of waiting, watching, and pouncing in the high mountains.
9. 1989 – Stage 17: Luchon to Superbagnères
Winner: Laurent Fignon
Key Climbs: Port de Balès, Superbagnères
Why It Was Legendary: As the 1989 Tour built toward its climactic showdown, this stage saw Laurent Fignon drop Greg LeMond on the final climb. Fignon’s climbing looked invincible, and he took the yellow jersey with a performance that had many believing the Tour was over. Of course, LeMond would have the last word in Paris — but this was Fignon’s moment of glory in the Pyrenees.
10. 1970 – Stage 16: Luchon to Pau
Winner: Joaquim Agostinho
Key Climbs: Peyresourde, Aspin, Tourmalet
Why It Was Legendary: Portuguese legend Agostinho attacked in the high mountains, showing incredible form on one of the toughest mountain stages of that Tour. He carved out a solo win in the heart of Merckx’s reign, proving that courage could still shine through domination. It was a rare day when Merckx let others shine — and Agostinho seized it with flair.
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