The Pyreneean mountain pass of the Tourmalet is one of the iconic climbs of the Tour de France, having been used, at last count, 87 times.
During this year's tour, the race traversed the Tourmalet, but did not finish there. The stage finished 46 km later on a shorter climb.
Nevertheless, thousands of spectators lined the mountain, enjoying the atmosphere before, during, and after the race passed by.
Beginning the 5 km uphill trek from the village of La Mongie. The climb for the cyclists, though, is more than three times as long, as they start in the valley below.
Atop the summit!
These fans wear souvenir meilleur grimpeur (best climber) jersey t-shirts and hats, passed out along the route by the supermarket chain Leclerc. I read that approximately one million souvenir shirts and hats are passed out during the 21 stages of the tour!
Two of the many advertising vehicles in the publicity caravan:
Race photos tomorrow!
Comments