Federico Bahamontes
Federico Martín Bahamontes ( born July 9, 1928 in Santo Domingo - Caudilla, Toledo ) is a Spanish former professional cyclist and the first Spaniard, who won the Tour de France.
Career
Bahamontes is considered one of the best mountain climbers of all time, which also six mountain prices obtained confirm Tour de France. This fact earned him the nickname "The Eagle of Toledo ( El águila de Toledo) ".
Legendary he was by his attacks on steep mountain slopes, where he often abhängte the field to minutes. However, he pissed on the descents through hypervigilance often the lead, which he had built up on the climbs and was also criticized for this. An anecdote Bahamontes once even bought and ate an ice cream on a pass in the Tour de France, was confirmed by him for the part he had on this mountain 14 minutes prominence when two spokes had broken it on the same side of the wheel. While he was waiting for the repair, an iceman had noticed him, and he had decided to eat an ice cream.
Having already won the mountain stage of the Tour de France in the years 1954 and 1958, he devoted himself in 1959 consistent overall and won the overall title, the biggest success of his career, and in turn the mountains classification. He could not repeat Tour victory, but won three times the mountains classification in 1962, 1963 and 1964.
Achievements
- Tour de France winner 1959
- 6 x mountain stage of the Tour de France (1954, 1958, 1959, 1962, 1963 and 1964 )
- 2 mountain stage Vuelta a España (1957 and 1958 )
- 1 Maglia Verde Giro d' Italia (1956 )
- Two -time winner of the Tour of Asturias (1955 and 1957 )
- Winner of 7 Tour de France stages
- Spanish Champion 1958
- 3rd place in the Tour de Suisse 1959