1928-2023 Federico Bahamontes

Spain's first winner of the Tour and one of the finest climbers in history

-  James Shrubsall

Federico Bahamontes, the ‘Eagle of Toledo’, has died aged 95. He was most famed for the climbing ability to which he owed his nickname, and for his 1959 Tour de France win, which saw him become the first Spanish winner of the race.

Born in 1928, the young Bahamontes worked as a cycle shop apprentice, but learned the trade that would make him famous by delivering goods by bike for Toledo’s shopkeepers up and down the region’s many and considerable hills.

He rode his first race in his late teens, finishing second, but his progress was interrupted by national service.

Once discharged Bahamontes wasted no time in picking up where he left off, turning pro in 1953. He rode the Volta a Catalunya that September, finishing top10 on all five stages and eighth overall.