Contrasting yesterday’s green hidden valleys, today was all about the high alpine gems for Stage Four in the 2021 Haute Route Pyrenees. The skies cleared after Peyresourde, revealing the Haute Pyrenees in all its glory. Then it was on to the Hourquette d’Ancizan and the mighty Tourmalet. It was a huge effort from riders after an epic 173-kilometre stage yesterday. Clocking 120km and 3300m from Bagnères de Luchon to Argelès-Gazost, the stage was a true triumph over these giants of the Pyrenees.
Author: Harold Dalton
Harold Dalton
Cycling industry professional with over 14 years of experience in professional journalism, television, and industry writing.
From the moody Col du Port to start the day, an eclectic mix of quaint and quirky villages, to the stunning switchbacks of Menté, Stage Three of the 2021 Haute Route Pyrenees had it all. It was a huge effort from the entire peloton, who battled through a cold start to finish this mega 173km course. Setting out from Ax-Les-Termes, riders climbed more than 3500m+ over the course of the day to reach the finish line at Bagnères de Luchon. Marco Rodero Prada took the men’s stage win ahead of Kevin Lago and Pierre Carlet, while Almudena Arrechea took the…
From the quiet, forested valleys, to tranquil villages and high mountain passes, stage two of the Haute Route Pyrenees delivered. The highlight was no doubt the long, beautiful and brutal ascent to Pailhères, dodging meandering sheep and cattle on the climb to the wild summit. Marco MradaRidero took the men’s stage win, ahead of Pierre Carlet and Titouan Huige. Ana Maria Ybarra Corcuera took the women’s stage win, extending her Womens GC lead.
From the wild, winding road to Merolla to the soaring heights of Creuetta, the Pyrenees turned it on for Stage One of the Haute Route Pyrenees. Riders set out from Ripoll in Spain, covering 104km and 2400m+ to reach the finish line in Bolquere, France. Local rider Titouan Huige took the stage win, ahead of Spanish rider Marco Rodero Prada and Frenchman Carlet Pierre. Tomorrow, riders continue on this five-day race across the wild Pyrenees.
Published on DerailedUK, July 14 2006. We’ve been betting on which TV channel would be the first to use the Automatic’s Monster in a mountain stage’s highlights since we first heard the song. Yesterday, ITV consumated our anticipation, much to our utter delight. In actual fact, we probably wouldn’t have warmed to this act of gross predictibility if that thing that came over the hill, one Floyd Landis, didn’t look quite so much like the monster to which the song refers. Has ITV shown its hand and attacked too early? How can Eurosport react to ITV’s impressive “apt music” early breakaway? If…
The Tour has snuck up on us already, after a shorter than usual break. Several former winners take to the start line, with the notable exception of 2019 winner Egan Bernal, who won the Giro to make a powerful statement about his omission from the INEOS squad. Cycling has a glut of exciting talent in its new Golden Age, almost all of whom will be racing. That includes Wout van Aert, Mathieu Van Der Poel, and last year’s winner Tadej Pogacar. Can this race possibly live up to the hype? Let’s find out! When is it? The Tour begins on…
Bernard Hinault had missed out on the 1983 Tour de France due to injury, but his young domestique Laurent Fignon had taken his place in the starting line-up and, with some smart riding and strong climbing, had come away with another overall win for the team. Was Hinault pleased? Was he fuck. Nose bent out of shape, he went on the warpath, demanding the Renault-Elf team sack directeur sportif Cyrille Guimard and renew the team with an organizational structure that would place Hinault so highly he’d be in a power-sharing agreement with God herself. The team’s owners, pleased with Guimard’s…
Prendas Ciclismo is one of our favorite cycling shops. That’s not only because they’re long-time supporters of our work (it’s possible they wouldn’t want to be identified as such), but because their catalogue and accompanying content is always 100% on point and fully in touch with cycling culture. They’ve even resisted the Rapha bullshit that’s infected the entire industry–no mean feat as a retro clothing company. Now they’re downscaling. Well, shit. The signs were there all along, what with all the clearance sales, but now it’s official. Here’s what Andy says: On the year that Prendas Ciclismo celebrates our 25th…