Above the Clouds: Which Are the Absolute Highest Points Ever Reached in Tour, Giro, and Vuelta?
Professional cycling has many stage races, but three stand above the rest: the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and the Vuelta a España. Together, these “Grand Tours” form the cornerstone of the UCI WorldTour calendar, attracting the world’s best riders and millions of fans every year. Each is steeped in history, tradition, and legendary mountain battles that have defined the sport.
The Big Three: A Brief History
- Tour de France: First held in 1903, the Tour is the oldest Grand Tour and the most prestigious cycling race in the world. With over 120 years of history, it is widely regarded as the pinnacle of road racing.
- Giro d’Italia: Launched in 1909, the Giro is Italy’s answer to the Tour. Known for its brutal climbs, unpredictable weather, and passionate tifosi, the race has been running for more than 115 years.
- Vuelta a España: The youngest of the three, the Vuelta began in 1935. Despite being “only” around 90 years old, it has built a reputation as a climber’s paradise, featuring some of the steepest gradients in professional cycling.
The Highest Altitudes of Each Grand Tour
One of the defining features of these races is their mountain stages. Riders not only battle each other but also the sheer force of nature: thin air, brutal gradients, and unpredictable conditions. Each Grand Tour has its own altitude record — the highest point ever reached in its history.
Tour de France – Cime de la Bonette, 2,802 m
The Tour has tackled many of the Alps’ and Pyrenees’ giants, but its highest point remains the Cime de la Bonette in the French Alps at 2,802 meters. First included in 1962, this climb is technically a loop road circling the Bonette peak, giving it the edge in altitude over other iconic passes like the Col du Galibier (2,642 m) and the Col du Tourmalet (2,115 m).
Giro d’Italia – Passo dello Stelvio, 2,758 m
The Giro is famous for the Cima Coppi, the title given each year to the highest climb in the race. Its record belongs to the Passo dello Stelvio at 2,758 meters, one of the most spectacular ascents in cycling. First used in 1953, when Fausto Coppi himself triumphed there, the Stelvio has become the ultimate test of Giro riders. Other memorable giants include the Passo Gavia (2,621 m) and Colle dell’Agnello (2,744 m).
Vuelta a España – Alto Hoya de la Mora, 2,510 m
Though generally considered the “younger brother” of the Tour and Giro, the Vuelta has also tested its riders with serious altitude. Its record stands at the Alto Hoya de la Mora in the Sierra Nevada, reaching 2,510 meters. Other high points have included the Port d’Envalira (2,410 m) in Andorra and the Bola del Mundo (2,252 m) near Madrid.
Conclusion
The Grand Tours are not just races; they are cultural institutions that embody the spirit of endurance, strategy, and sheer human willpower. While the Tour de France holds the altitude crown with the Cime de la Bonette, the Giro’s Stelvio and the Vuelta’s Sierra Nevada are no less legendary. Together, they represent cycling at its most dramatic — where champions are made, and legends are born.