The Mountains Become Cathedrals

The 1920s solidified the mountains' role as the Tour's ultimate arbiters. The Pyrenees and Alps evolved from feared obstacles to sacred ground where champions were crowned and pretenders exposed. Desgrange's purple prose transformed climbs into mythical challenges: the Tourmalet became "The Circle of Death," the Galibier "The Graveyard of Champions."

The Mountain Prize

The introduction of the Grand Prix de la Montagne in 1933 (though mountains had been classified since the mid-1920s) recognized climbing as a specialized skill deserving separate recognition. This created new narratives and heroes—riders who might never win overall could achieve glory in the mountains. Vicente Trueba of Spain, known as "The Flea of Torrelavega" for his tiny stature and climbing prowess, became the first official King of the Mountains.

The mountains also became theaters for national rivalry. French riders defended "their" climbs against foreign invaders. Italian and Spanish riders, many from mountainous regions, challenged French dominance in what had been their exclusive domain. These battles, fought on gradients that reduced speed to walking pace, provided the Tour's most dramatic moments.