“Have they not wings, our men who have been able to climb up to heights where even eagles don’t fly? … Oh Sappey, Oh Laffrey, Oh Col Bayard, Oh Tourmalet! I shall not shirk from my duty in proclaiming that beside the Galibier you are nothing…”
– Henri Desgrange – The first organiser of the Tour de France
"Desgrange would have been proud had he seen the way Andy Schleck won on the Galibier. With an attack from 62 kilometres from the finish, Schleck brought back old times in the Tour de France.
"Over the last years you see that the big champions always wait until the last climb. On the Lautaret there was a lot of headwind which makes his victory even bigger. On an historic stage we saw an heroic winner.
Judge: Raymond Kerckhoffs (DE TELEGRAFF)
IG Markets Pro Cycling Index Stats of the day:
The Col du Galibier (2,661m) became the highest finish in the Tour. Previously the Col de Granon (2,413m) was the highest.
The Col d'Izoard has been used 31 times in the Tour's history. Louison Bobet has led the race over the climb three times, more than any other rider.
Andy Schleck won his third Tour de France stage today. It was the first time he has won a stage alone at the Tour.
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