1958 TDF The Angel of the Mountains
CHARLY GAUL from Luxemburg, in storm and rain in the Chartreuse Mountains (Prealps). That was exactly the weather Gaul liked and he was therefor called "The Angel of the Mountains".
Stage 21: Wednesday, July 16, Briançon - Aix les Bains, 219 km
Major ascents: Lauteret, Luitel, Porte, Cucheron, Granier
The yellow jersey changed from owner 11 times. That was a record. Raphael Geminiani managed to gain the yellow jersey in stage 18. It all came for naught when Charly Gaul taunted Louison Bobet by telling the former TDF winner exactly at which corner on the Luitel he would attack.
It was a cold, wet day and Gaul did exactly as he promised. The time gained was enough to allow him to take definitely the lead in the final time trial when Gaul created a margin of more than three minutes and won the Tour.
Charly Gaul (1932-2005) was a professional cyclist from 1953 to 1965.
He was also national cyclo-cross champion, an accomplished time trial racer and superb climber.
Besides the 1958 Tour de France he also won the Giro d'Italia in 1956 and 1959. Gaul rode best in cold, wet weather.
( "1000 Maillots du Tour de France", by Claude Droussent, 2016)
1958 TDF The Angel of the Mountains
CHARLY GAUL from Luxemburg, in storm and rain in the Chartreuse Mountains (Prealps). That was exactly the weather Gaul liked and he was therefor called "The Angel of the Mountains".
Stage 21: Wednesday, July 16, Briançon - Aix les Bains, 219 km
Major ascents: Lauteret, Luitel, Porte, Cucheron, Granier
The yellow jersey changed from owner 11 times. That was a record. Raphael Geminiani managed to gain the yellow jersey in stage 18. It all came for naught when Charly Gaul taunted Louison Bobet by telling the former TDF winner exactly at which corner on the Luitel he would attack.
It was a cold, wet day and Gaul did exactly as he promised. The time gained was enough to allow him to take definitely the lead in the final time trial when Gaul created a margin of more than three minutes and won the Tour.
Charly Gaul (1932-2005) was a professional cyclist from 1953 to 1965.
He was also national cyclo-cross champion, an accomplished time trial racer and superb climber.
Besides the 1958 Tour de France he also won the Giro d'Italia in 1956 and 1959. Gaul rode best in cold, wet weather.
( "1000 Maillots du Tour de France", by Claude Droussent, 2016)