Mont Ventoux

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Mont Ventoux

Tom Simpson memorial

Having been both Olympic and World Champion, Tom Simpson was not jut an average cyclist. On the 13th of July 1967, he headed, together with the rest of the Tour peleton, to the top of the Mont Ventoux. It was his last race.

Tom Simpson memorial
Tom Simpson memorial

Tom Simpson was up with first of the bunch on that day. A couple of kilometers form the top, he started floating across the road. Sun was burning and Tom was exhausted from the terrible climb. All of a sudden, Tom Simpson tumbled from his bike. Supporters on the Mont Ventoux tried to put him back on his bike, but a few meters on, his trip ended. He was taken by helicopter to the hospital in Avignon. Despite aid Tom Simpson dies at 17.40 in the hospital.

Tom Simpson is buried in Harworth. A small museum in honor of Tom is now part of Harworth. More famous however is the memorial that was built on the Mont Ventoux end of 1968. When you pass by the memorial, just at about 1,5 km from the top, don’t forget to pay tribute to Tom Simpson.