The Tourmalet: one of the toughest climbs in the Pyrennees
Who’s the next young talent to challenge the peloton? When the likes of Froome and Contador look over their shoulders to the next generation of GC contenders they may think of Adam Yates or Julian Alaphillipe as the future pretenders to their crown. But there’s a much younger rider coming over the col who may be the next bright young thing.
Eight year old Alfie Earl could be the youngest ever rider to reach the top of the legendary Pyrenean climb of the Tourmalet. Cycling Weekly reported this week that he took three and half hours to make the climb with his dad in what were cloudy and chilly conditions. He was greeted at the top by over a hundred cyclists and walkers who had heard he was coming. They formed a guard of honour for him and insisted on shaking his hand to congratulate him as the pair tried to make their way to the café for a much needed cup of coffee.
Young Alfie has already completed the Tour of Flanders while the next challenges on his bucket list are Mont Ventoux, the Stelvio and a London to Paris ride, all of which he hopes to complete before the age of 10!
