A brief history of Tour de France mountain time trials

Speculation around the 2019 Tour de France is rife, with some believing an uphill time trial on the Tourmalet could feature

Jean-Francois Bernard on Mont Ventoux in the 1987 Tour de France (Photo: Watson)

(Image credit: Watson)

With Tour de France 2019 rumours abounding, there has been speculation a mountain time trial could feature.

Mentions of a summit finish on the Tourmalet or a possible time trial in Pau have prompted the suggestion riders could go solo to the summit of the col.

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Alex Ballinger

Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers.  Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.