Climb to Col du Petit Saint-Bernard
Departure point: Bourg Saint-Maurice
Getting there: A430 then N90 + train
Altitude: 2188 m
Km: 27 km
Elevation gain: 1258 m
Unlike the Tour du Val d’Aoste or the Tour des Pays de Savoie, which occasionally climb the border pass of Petit-Saint-Bernard, the Tour de France has only twice come this way, in 1959 and in 2009. However, while on these all too rare occasions, the old hospice dedicated to Saint Bernard des Alpes only ever saw a “Spanish yellow jersey” pass by its door in the form of Federico Bahamontès and Alberto Contador, the pass is better remembered for an incident of an entirely different nature. After the competitors passed by during the 18th stage, on 14th July 1959, dozens of French and Italian spectators, having downed more than a few drinks, clashed with each other in a real pitched battle. On France’s national day, supporters of Michèle Gismondi and Ercole Baldini had dared to make fun of the French fans devastated by the retirement of Louison Bobet!
The long gentle climb from Séez continues to the resort of La Rosière, before an upwards false-flat leads to Saint Bernard hospice, the sentinel of the pass.
Intermediary chip terminal at La Rosière and Séez.
