Gino Bartali is remembered not only as one of the greatest climbers in cycling history, but also as a man of unshakable character, whose victories extended far beyond the road. Over the course of three editions of the Tour de France—1937, 1938, and 1948—he won 12 individual stages. Among them, five stand out for their historical weight, dramatic flair, and lasting legacy.
1. Stage 7 – 1937: Aix-les-Bains to Grenoble (228 km)
Bartali’s first Tour de France stage win was an emphatic statement. The 228-kilometer route cut deep into the Alps and included the Col du Télégraphe and the Col du Galibier, two of the Tour’s most iconic climbs. Despite being a Tour rookie, Bartali powered ahead of the favorites and claimed not just the stage win but also the yellow jersey.
This was more than a personal triumph—it marked Italy’s triumphant return to the Tour after a one-year boycott and signaled the arrival of a new mountain master. Unfortunately, his race ended in heartbreak a few days later after a crash, but the cycling world had taken notice.
2. Stage 6 – 1938: Digne to Briançon (220 km)
Returning to the Tour with the weight of Mussolini’s regime pressing down on him, Bartali entered the 1938 race under immense pressure. The sixth stage, running through the brutal Col d’Allos and Col d’Izoard, became the canvas for his brilliance.
Bartali launched a long-range solo attack in the Alps and claimed a decisive victory in Briançon. He took the yellow jersey, gained more than five minutes on his closest rivals, and began to dominate the race from that point forward.
3. Stage 14 – 1938: Luchon to Tarbes (91 km)
Though shorter in distance, this Pyrenean stage was rich in drama and steeped in significance. Featuring the formidable Col du Tourmalet, Bartali once again proved untouchable in the mountains.
He won the stage and cemented his control over the general classification. After this ride, the Tour was effectively his. A few days later, he would celebrate his first Tour de France victory—something Mussolini sought for political prestige, though Bartali remained personally distant from the regime’s ideology.
4. Stage 13 – 1948: Cannes to Briançon (275 km)
Ten years later, at age 34, Bartali returned to the Tour de France as a veteran—and staged one of the most legendary comebacks in cycling history. Entering the Alps, Bartali was trailing badly in the general classification. But in this monstrous 275-kilometer stage over the Col d’Allos, Col de Vars, and Col d’Izoard, he unleashed a ride of mythical proportions.
Attacking solo in the mountains, he gained more than 20 minutes on race leader Louison Bobet, turning the standings on their head. It wasn’t just a stage win—it was a resurrection.
5. Stage 14 – 1948: Briançon to Aix-les-Bains (263 km)
Astonishingly, Bartali followed up his miracle ride with another the very next day. This time, he conquered the Col du Télégraphe and Col du Galibier once again—just as he had 11 years earlier. He won the stage and seized the yellow jersey.
These back-to-back Alpine victories became the heart of his second Tour de France triumph, a full decade after his first. The feat remains one of the most iconic turnarounds in the history of the sport.