Federico Bahamontes facts for kids

Federico Martín Bahamontes (born 9 July 1928 – died 8 August 2023) was a famous Spanish professional road racing cyclist. He was known as "The Eagle of Toledo" because he was an amazing climber. He won the 1959 Tour de France, which is one of the biggest cycling races in the world.

Bahamontes also won 11 stages in major races called Grand Tours between 1954 and 1965. He was especially good at climbing mountains. He won the "King of the Mountains" title nine times. He was the first cyclist to win the mountain classification in all three Grand Tours: the Tour de France, Giro d'Italia, and Vuelta a España. After he stopped racing, Bahamontes ran a bike shop. In 2013, experts even named him the best climber in the history of the Tour de France!

Early Life and Challenges

Federico Bahamontes was born in a small town called Santo Domingo-Caudilla in Spain. This was on July 9, 1928. His parents were Julián Martín and Victoria Bahamontes. Even though his father's last name was Martín, Federico became known by his mother's last name, Bahamontes. This was because there were many people named Martín in his village.

Growing Up in Tough Times

When Federico was a child, the Spanish Civil War started in 1936. His family had to move to Madrid to stay safe. Life was very hard. His father had to work transporting supplies during the war. Later, the family struggled to find enough food. Young Federico had to find ways to help his family survive during these difficult times.

First Bike and First Race

In 1946, when he was 18, Federico bought his first bicycle. He used it to move food between villages, which was important because food was hard to get. During this time, he got sick, but he recovered.

One day, some other people who also traded goods invited him to a bike race. On July 18, 1947, he rode to the starting village. With only a banana and a lemon to eat, he finished second in his very first race! This showed he had a special talent for cycling.

A Cycling Career Begins

After winning his second race, Bahamontes decided to become a full-time amateur cyclist. The prize money from races was much better than other jobs available. He became friends with another cyclist, Ladislau Soria. Together, they were a strong team in local races.

Turning Professional

Bahamontes first raced against professional cyclists in 1953. He did very well, even winning the first stage of the Vuelta a Asturias race. He soon moved to Barcelona, a big city, where he got support from an important person in Spanish cycling, Santiago Mostajo Trigo.

In 1953, he won the "King of the Mountains" title in the Volta a Catalunya race. This race was a big deal in Spain at the time. He even rode alone for a long part of one stage to win his mountain jersey.

Riders at the start of stage one of the 1954 Tour de France

First Tour de France Experience

In 1954, Bahamontes was chosen to race in the 1954 Tour de France. His team director told him to "try to win it." He was nervous at first because he didn't speak French and didn't even have a suitcase! But he agreed to go.

During the race, he showed his amazing climbing skills. He was the first to cross famous mountain passes like the Col d'Aubisque and the Col du Tourmalet. He won a special prize and the mountain classification title for being the best climber. He finished 25th overall in the race.

Challenges and Victories

The next year, 1955, Bahamontes faced a challenge. He got a knee injury during the Vuelta a España. This injury bothered him for many years. Because of it, he didn't win another Tour de France mountain title until 1958.

Despite his injury, he kept racing and winning. He won the Vuelta a Asturias and other races in 1955. However, his injury stopped him from competing in the Tour de France that year.

Winning the Tour de France

Federico Bahamontes achieved his biggest dream in 1959 when he won the entire Tour de France. He got an early lead in the Pyrenees mountains. He also won a special mountain time trial race up the famous Puy-de-Dôme mountain.

As the race continued into the Alps, he worked with another great climber, Charly Gaul, to increase their lead. Even though other riders tried to catch him, Bahamontes held on to his lead. He won the Tour by more than four minutes and also became the "King of the Mountains" that year.

Bahamontes in 1960

Later Tour de France Races

In 1960, Bahamontes had to leave the Tour de France early. It was a sad moment for him. In the 1963 Tour de France, he finished second overall, right behind the famous rider Jacques Anquetil. Bahamontes felt that the race organizers might have helped Anquetil win.

In the 1964 Tour de France, Bahamontes finished third overall. He also won his sixth "King of the Mountains" title and two more stages. His last Tour de France was in 1965. He tried to attack on a mountain, but then decided to retire from the race.

Monument of Federico Bahamontes in Toledo, Spain

Life After Racing

After retiring from professional cycling, Bahamontes opened a bicycle and motorcycle shop in his hometown of Toledo. He was still very popular. Even years later, he received letters from fans from all over the world. Some letters were simply addressed to "F. Bahamontes, Spain."

Bahamontes in his bicycle shop in Toledo in 2005

He was even mentioned in a famous French movie called Amélie. In the movie, a character finds a box of old toys. These toys remind him of his childhood, when he listened on the radio as Bahamontes won the 1959 Tour de France.

In 2013, on his 85th birthday, Bahamontes was honored as the best climber in the history of the Tour de France. A group of experts, including famous cyclists and the director of the Tour, chose him for this special award. The French President, François Hollande, even gave him the award.

Federico Bahamontes passed away on August 8, 2023, at the age of 95. He was the oldest living Tour de France winner at the time of his death.

Career Achievements

Federico Bahamontes had many important wins and achievements throughout his cycling career.

Major Results

Grand Tour Results Timeline

This table shows how Federico Bahamontes finished in the three biggest cycling races, called Grand Tours, each year he competed.

Grand Tour	1954	1955	1956	1957	1958	1959	1960	1961	1962	1963	1964	1965
Vuelta a España	N/A	21	4	2	6	DNF	DNF	—	—	—	—	10
Giro d'Italia	—	—	DNF	—	17	—	—	DNF	—	—	—	—
Tour de France	25	—	4	DNF	8	1	DNF	—	14	2	3	DNF

See also

In Spanish: Federico Martín Bahamontes para niños