“Beloved Eagle of Toledo”
Spain mourns cycling idol Federico Bahamontes
8/8/2023 12:16 p.m
In 1959 Federico Bahamontes was the first Spaniard to win the Tour de France, and for many years the cycling idol held a record among the best climbers in his sport. Now the “Eagle of Toledo” has died at the age of 95. The sympathy is great.
Spain mourns the loss of its first Tour de France winner, Federico Bahamontes. The “Eagle of Toledo” died at the age of 95, as announced by Carlos Velázquez, mayor of the city. Bahamontes was considered an outstanding climber and won the Tour of France in 1959, something no Spaniard had previously achieved. In 1963 and 1964 he made two more podium finishes on the Tour, finishing second and third.
Bahomontes made the city of Toledo famous, Velázquez wrote on Twitter: “The first Spaniard to win the Tour de France, with more than 74 victories, is part of the history of sport in our country. Fede, adopted son of the city of Toledo, admired and loved, touched us with his extraordinary climbing skills.” Bahamontes won the mountain jersey six times at the Tour. A brand that was only later surpassed by the Frenchman Richard Virenque.
Bahamontes had once crossed many of the legendary Tour climbs such as the Tourmalet or the Galibier as the leader. But it didn’t result in more than one overall victory. Also because he lost too much time in the individual time trial. In Toledo, however, they erected a statue of their hero while he was still alive.
“An example of the values of sport”
A few hours after the news of Bahamontes’ death, countless stars and teams had already expressed their condolences. World road champion Alejandro Valverde expressed “my respect and admiration for Federico Martín Bahamontes, one of the first references in Spanish cycling. I hug family and friends after the loss of one of the best climbers in history. May he rest in peace”.
Real Madrid also issued a statement expressing their sadness at the death of the Spanish cyclist. “Real Madrid CF, its President and Board of Directors deeply regret the death of Federico Martín Bahamontes, one of the greatest legends of Spanish and international cycling and the first Spanish cyclist to win the Tour de France in 1959 (…). He was an example of the values of sport on which he built his success”.
Acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez stressed that Bahamontes’ legacy “will live on in the streets and in our hearts. Thank you for inspiring us to pedal beyond borders”.