Federico Bahamontes, the first ever Spanish Tour winner, has died at the age of 95. Bahamontes won the Tour de France in 1959. He was a rock climber. “One of the best of all time,” says Alejandro Valverde.
Federico Bahamontes paved the way for the Spanish cyclists. In the 1950s and early 1960s, hardly anyone climbed better than the Toledo Eagle.
Bahamontes won the mountains classification in the Tour de France no less than 6 times. In 1959 he added the overall victory.
Bahamontes was the very first Spaniard to win the Tour. Later Luis Ocana (1973), Pedro Delgado (1988), Miguel Indurain (1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995), Oscar Pereiro (2006), Alberto Contador (2007, 2009) and Carlos Sastre (2008) would follow his example .
The name Bahamontes can also be found in the history books of the Giro and Vuelta. The Spaniard won at least one stage in every round.
Federico Bahamontes in the Grand Tours
Round of France
7 stage victories
1x overall win: in 1959 1x second: in 1963 (after Anquetil) 1x third: in 1964 (after Anquetil and Poulidor) 6x winner of the mountain classification: 1954, 1958, 1959, 1962, 1963 and 1964
Tour of Spain
3 stage victories 2x winner mountain classification: 1957 and 1958
Tour of Italy
1 stage victory: in 1958 1x second: in 1957
Valverde: “An example for Spanish cycling”
Federico Bahamontes has meant a lot to Spanish cycling. On X, formerly Twitter, Alejandro Valverde expresses his admiration.
“An example for Spanish cycling and one of the best climbers of all time,” the former world champion writes on the social medium.
“Rest in peace,” he added.
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