The Pyrenees have always been a crucible for Tour de France greatness — a place where legends are forged, ambitions unravel, and the true contenders emerge. These rugged, dramatic mountains separating France from Spain have hosted some of the race’s most iconic showdowns. From relentless attacks on brutal climbs to legendary solo breakaways, the Pyrenean stages often define the outcome of the Tour.
Here are 10 of the most electrifying Pyrenees stages from the 21st century — chosen for their drama, tactical intrigue, emotional resonance, and historical significance.
2010 – Stage 17: Pau to Col du Tourmalet
Winner: Andy Schleck
Key Climbs: Col du Tourmalet (HC)
Why It Mattered: The fog-shrouded slopes of the Tourmalet played host to a duel for the ages between Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador. After the controversy of Stage 15, when Schleck’s mechanical misfortune led to Contador seizing the yellow jersey, this stage was their chance to settle things — just the two of them, above the clouds.
Schleck attacked repeatedly, but Contador responded every time. In a rare show of respect and rivalry, the two climbed side-by-side for the final kilometers. Schleck crossed the line first, arms raised defiantly, while Contador retained yellow. It was a battle not just of legs but of character, and the image of the pair ascending into the mist remains etched in Tour history.
2. 2022 – Stage 18: Lourdes to Hautacam
Winner: Jonas Vingegaard
Key Climbs: Col d’Aubisque, Col de Spandelles, Hautacam
Why It Mattered: This stage featured one of the defining moments of the Vingegaard–Pogacar rivalry. With Tadej Pogacar launching repeated attacks on the Aubisque and then crashing on a descent, the cycling world watched in awe as Vingegaard slowed and waited — a moment of true sportsmanship. But once the gloves were off, Vingegaard attacked on Hautacam and left Pogacar behind, sealing his eventual Tour victory with cold-blooded precision.
It was a poetic stage: high-speed danger, mutual respect, and the most dominant single mountain performance of the 2022 race.
3. 2011 – Stage 16: Saint-Gaudens to Plateau de Beille
Winner: Jelle Vanendert
Key Climbs: Port de Lers, Col d’Agnes, Plateau de Beille
Why It Mattered: This stage offered fireworks across the board. Jelle Vanendert, often a domestique, launched a perfectly timed move from the break and took an emotional solo win. Behind him, the GC contenders — Contador, the Schleck brothers, and Cadel Evans — lit up the final climb with a flurry of attacks. Though no huge gaps opened, the internal tension among the favorites was palpable.
Plateau de Beille has historically been a place where true contenders shine, and this stage preserved that tradition, all while offering an underdog’s triumph.
4. 2021 – Stage 17: Muret to Col du Portet
Winner: Tadej Pogačar
Key Climbs: Col de Peyresourde, Col de Val Louron-Azet, Col du Portet (HC)
Why It Mattered:On the Tour’s 2021 queen stage in the Pyrenees, Tadej Pogačar showed exactly why he wore yellow. The young Slovenian was under pressure from Jonas Vingegaard and Richard Carapaz, but on the beastly Col du Portet, he delivered a knockout blow.
The trio rode shoulder to shoulder until the final kilometer, where Pogačar launched a thunderous attack, distancing his rivals and securing not just the stage but also the psychological advantage. The young champion confirmed his dominance, all while reminding fans what a fearless climber looks like.
5. 2012 – Stage 16: Pau to Bagnères-de-Luchon
Winner: Thomas Voeckler
Key Climbs: Aubisque, Tourmalet, Aspin, Peyresourde
Why It Mattered: In one of the most mountainous stages of the Tour that year, French hero Thomas Voeckler rode with unmatched panache. After joining a large breakaway, he pushed on alone across four major climbs and crossed the line solo in Luchon.
This stage was a love letter to aggressive riding. Voeckler not only won the day but also secured the polka dot jersey — all with his trademark grimaces and never-say-die attitude. Fans lined the roads, cheering for a rider who embodied the Tour’s romantic spirit.
6. 2013 – Stage 9: Saint-Girons to Bagnères-de-Bigorre
Winner: Dan Martin
Key Climbs: Col de Portet-d’Aspet, Col de Menté, Col de Peyresourde
Why It Mattered:This was a GC shakeup with a surprise ending. Team Sky, dominant until then, fell apart on the climbs. Richie Porte cracked. Froome was isolated. Amid the chaos, Dan Martin and Jakob Fuglsang attacked late and rode together to the finish, where Martin outsprinted him for a brilliant victory.
The stage showed that Sky wasn’t invincible — a rare moment of vulnerability for a usually airtight team — and reminded everyone that a well-timed move could still beat the calculators.
7. 2014 – Stage 17: Saint-Gaudens to Saint-Lary Pla d’Adet
Winner: Rafał Majka
Key Climbs: Col de Peyresourde, Col de Val Louron-Azet, Pla d’Adet
Why It Mattered:Majka had already surprised with a stage win in the Alps, but his victory here proved it was no fluke. Riding aggressively from the breakaway, he conquered three major climbs and distanced all rivals to secure the win — and the King of the Mountains jersey.
This was pure climbing spectacle — fans in full voice, steep switchbacks, and a solo artist painting his masterpiece on the roads of Saint-Lary.
8. 2007 – Stage 15: Foix to Loudenvielle-Le Louron
Winner: Juan José Cobo
Key Climbs: Port de Balès, Col de Peyresourde
Why It Mattered: A brutally hot day saw chaos in the peloton. Cobo attacked on the Port de Balès, then held on through Peyresourde for a gutsy solo win. Meanwhile, tension simmered behind as favorites tested each other — setting up the final week’s GC battle.
The stage captured everything fans love about Pyrenees racing: punishing gradients, solo courage, and tactical disarray in the bunch.
9. 2020 – Stage 8: Cazères to Loudenvielle
Winner: Nans Peters
Key Climbs: Col de Menté, Port de Balès, Col de Peyresourde
Why It Mattered:On a rain-soaked day, Nans Peters launched from the breakaway and conquered three classic Pyrenean climbs to take his first Tour stage. Behind him, the GC exploded — Thibaut Pinot cracked, Roglič and Pogacar emerged, and the Tour took shape.
This was a perfect blend of an unexpected winner and a revealing day for the yellow jersey hopefuls. The Frenchman’s win brought joy to home fans in a difficult COVID-era race.
10. 2009 – Stage 8: Andorra la Vella to Saint-Girons
Winner: Luis León Sánchez
Key Climbs: Col de Serra-Seca, Col d’Agnes
Why It Mattered:This transitional Pyrenees stage was anything but boring. After a punishing start in Andorra, the day saw a brilliant move from Sánchez, who out-sprinted Mikhail Ignatiev and Sandy Casar from the break.
Though not a summit finish, the terrain and tempo caused cracks and splits. A textbook breakaway win with strategic layers beneath it.
For more thrilling Pyrenees stage from the 20th century, please click here>>