5 Mythical ports in the history of cycling

In the following article, we selected the 5 mythical ports in the history of cycling.

It is very difficult to choose which are "the most mythical" so in this first part we have based on ports that have climbed in cycling competitions prior to 1970, and that continue to rise today. Also, in these giants have shone many of the best cyclists in history over the years.

Tourmalet:

It was promoted for the first time in the Tour of 1910, in a very hard stage of 327km between Luchon and Bayonne (in the Pyrenees), the cyclists also promoted the Peyresoure, Aspin, Tourmalet, Aubisque and Osquich. The French Octave Lapize was the winner of the stage, at the top of the Aubisque told the organization of the race the mythical phrase "You are murderers" in reference to the hardness of the Stage. Many of the great cyclists of the history crowned the Tourmalet in first position like Bartali, Coppi, Merck, etc ... being Federico Martín Bahamontes the cyclist who more times has crowned the Tourmalet in first position, four times.

The Tourmalet has its summit at 2115 meters above sea level, consists of 2 slopes, one from Luz-Saint Sauveur (18,8km with an average slope of 7,47%) and the other from Campan (23km to 6,33%).

(Photo Tourmalet: anotherheader.wordpress.com)

Galibier: 

A year after the premiere of the Tourmalet, in 1911 it was the turn of the Alps, and the Col du Galibier was promoted for the first time, a colossus that has climbed more than 50 times, being next to the Tourmalet the most promoted port in the Tour of France.

By history, the Galibier has many similarities with the Tourmalet, for example some of the great champions who once crowned the alpine colossus in first position, have also done so in the Pyrenees: Coppi, Bartali, Merck, Bahamontes. The Luxembourger Andy Sleck is the only one who has won on both summits.

The most important slope of the Galibier is the one that connects Telegraphe and Galibier, 35,35km of ascension, 5,48% of average slope, a difference of almost 2000 is saved and the top is at 2645msnm.

(Photo Galibier: jlgomezlinares.files.wordpress.com)

Stelvio:

 

Possibly the most "mythical" port in Italy. It was promoted for the first time in 1953, crowned in first position by the great Fausto Coppi. When ascending the Giro in spring, it is common on many occasions that the ascent is covered in snow. The Stelvio has been the judge of several Giros, being the end of the penultimate stage, like in 1975 where the Italian Fausto Bertoglio won the Giro from the Spanish Francisco Galdós by only 40”. In 2012 the Spanish Joaquím Rodríguez led the Giro in the penultimate stage at the top of the Stelvio… but in the final CRI, the Canadian Ryder Hesjedal took the race by only 16” ahead.

The best known slope is that of Bormio, 22km of ascension, to 7,22% to crown 2758msmn. This route is famous for its 48 horseshoe curves.

(Stelvio photo: elmonstre.files.wordpress.com)

Pordoi:

The Passo Pordoi is located in the dolomites, between the regions of Veneto and Trentino-Alto Adige. You have an altitude of 2239msnm and it has two slopes, one that starts in Canazei of 13km in length with an average slope of 6% and the other one from Arabba, shorter, of 9,4km but with a higher average slope, the 6,8%. He has climbed more than 40 times in the Giro d'Italia, being Fausto Coppi the one who has crowned him most times in the lead (4 times).

The Pordoi had its greatest glory at the end of the 40 decade and early 50, thanks to the battles between the two best Italian cyclists of all time: Gino Bartali and Fausto Coppi.

(Photo Pordoi: http://www.brevet.cc) 

Urkiola:

 

In Spain it is more difficult than in Italy and France to find ports that have risen regularly before the 70 years, in addition the vast majority of ports that are currently promoted date from the 80 year and above all, due to the philosophy of Back in the last years of looking for new ports, there are a variety of spectacular ports that have been discovered in recent years.

The port of Urkiola is probably the one that has climbed most times in cycling competitions in Spain, since 4 competitions have included it often in its route: The Ascent to Urkiola, The Tour of the Basque Country, the old Basque Bicycle and the Tour of Spain.

The first time he was promoted was in 1931 in the Climb to Urkiola, being Ricardo Montero the first to crown. On the return to Spain I was included in the 1948 tour for the first time. The most famous slope is the one that begins in Mañaria, has 6,1km with an average slope of 9,2%, with maximum ramps of 14% and the Sanctuary is crowned to 752msnm. The other much milder slope begins in Otzandio and consists of 3,4km with an average slope of 3,68%.

(Photo Urkiola: www.altimetrias.net)

 

What are the most mythical ports of cycling for you?