From the vista point of this pass at 2,642 m (8,688 ft.), you have a superb panoramic view of all the peaks reaching up to 3,000 m (13,000 ft) and more. The Col du Galibier was first used in the Tour de France in 1911. The first rider over the summit was Emile Georget, who, together with Paul Duboc and Gustave Garrigou, were the only cyclists not to push their bicycles up the mountain. The original summit was at 2,556 m ( 8,385 ft) but with the closing of the tunnel in 1976, the tour route now goes over the pass closer to the mountain peak at 2,645 m (8,677 ft). At the south portal of the tunnel, at the edge of the road, there is a memorial to Henri Desgrange, initiator and first director of the Tour de France. Whenever the tour crosses the Col du Galibier, a wreath is laid on the memorial. The “Souvenir Henri Desgrange” is awarded to the first rider across the summit of the highest mountain in each year’s tour. Since 1947, the Col de Galibier has been crossed 31 times by the Tour de France.
TOURS:
Grand Alps Tour https://www.edelweissbike.com/en/touren/?c=CGA
Best of southern France https://www.edelweissbike.com/en/touren/?c=RNN
Ultimate French & Swiss Alps (Selfguided) https://www.edelweissbike.com/en/touren/?c=7FC
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FOOTAGE: Thomas Ritt & Dieter Arnoth
EDITING: Chiara van Doorn
MUSIC: “The Epic” – Envato Elements