In 1926, on the Aubisque stage, only 47 riders reached the finish town before midnight. Suddenly a dozen or so riders surged into town together. At the same moment an angry man approached the Tour General Secretary "It's a scandal, the shame. I took them in my bus and they haven't paid me."
The Tour official quietly paid him.
* First cycled in 1910, Aubisque is the second most climbed Col in TdF history (72nd time) after Tourmalet (77th time).
* Two time Tour champion, the Italian Ottavio Bottechia -- or The Butcher of Frioul (he also liked to sing while pedaling) -- was first over the col three times but abandoned on Aubisque in '26.
* During his career, The Eagle of Toledo, Frederico Bahamontes, crossed Aubisque in front a record four times.
* In 1969, the great Eddie Merckx while in yellow had a 12 minute lead at the foot of Aubisque, He suffered a rare défaillance, but still managed a seven minute victory on the way his first Tour victory.
* Sean Kelly wore yellow only once in the Tour. In 1983, he wore it and lost it during the Aubisque stage.
* The only mountain top finishes at Aubisque were won by Stephen Roche in 1985, and the Danish ballroom dancer Rasmussen, in 2007.