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The Toughest Tour Climbs

  • Ron 

Now that we’re well into 2015’s Tour de France, we’ve seen heroics, determination, crashes, and just about everything else. It’s had all the elements of a classic tour. That’s why it’s the biggest, most dramatic race in the world. But what is it that really makes ‘le Tour’ stand out from the crowd? One reason is the severity of some of the stages and the awe-inspiring way the athletes tackle them.

To us mere mortals, it’s hard to believe just how intense they are without having to ride them ourselves. There are always stages that stick out though and help us to realise what the men on two wheels have to push through in order to succeed. We’ve compiled some of the tour’s toughest stages so we don’t take for granted the mountains they have to climb, both literally and figuratively. It reminds us that there’s a reason we’re watching and they’re pedalling. Take a look at these three mean offerings which we’ve seen at various points over the race’s history.

Bayonne – Luchon in 1926

This particular year’s tour is regarded as one of the hardest ever – and the longest ever also – at a distance of 5,745km. The infamous stage 10 carries a reputation all of its own though, as the toughest of all time. It was a huge 326km, but it was also a 19,500 foot ascent in hellish conditions that led to surfaces becoming much, much harder to cycle on. That’d be hugely difficult with modern technology; imagine how these men fared with what they had at the time. It was a superhuman feat from Lucien Buysse to win it in a touch over 15 hours.

Mont Ventoux

This regular feature is one of the harshest stretches, renowned for the steep opening climb and then even more relentless hard work. It took the life of British cyclist Tom Simpson back in 1967 and from there built its reputation, sadly from tragedy. When you come to Chalet Reynard, nature tries its best to slow you down with searing heat and, at times, strong winds ready to beat down on the weary riders.

Col du Tourmalet

It’s been there since the beginning in 1910 and this ever popular climb in the Pyrenees has featured more often than any other mountain, though the riders may not thank anybody for that. The start is reasonable and might even lull you into a false sense of security, as you’re then faced with a constant 9% ascent which rarely lets up until you reach the top. It’s a touch over 17km but every metre will count and surely takes its toll. 1400 metres of ascent is not for the faint hearted.

If the Tour de France betting odds are correct, Chris Froome is expected to ease to victory – if such as thing can happen in this race – but an honourable mention goes to the bodily fluid filled stage he had to put up with a few days ago. It might not have required the same physical strength, although his inner strength to stay calm and keep riding is something to be admired.

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