In the Tour de France on the 14th stage in 1971, in the Pyrenees, between Revel and Luchon of 214.5 km included the ascent to cols of Portet dAspet, Mente and Portillon. The advantage with which Ocana arrived at them was (7m 23s up on Merckx), felt like more than sufficient. The heat was suffocating and a storm seemed inevitable. The storm exploded with an unusual virulence. The road became a river and the riders, left with unusable brakes, restrained falls with their feet to avoid the crashing, nevertheless were numerous crashes.
Ocana crashed off course with little injury and was remounting his bicycle when Zoetemel lost control and hit him leaving him unconcious. The resulting injury forced him to quit while wearing the maillot jaune.
The following day Merckx refused to wear the yellow jersey in order to pay tribute to Ocana. This led to the decline of this col being used on the Tour de France.
The Black Legend has returned for the 2007 Etap!
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