ANDsport mourns the death of Federico Martín Bahamontes, a pioneer who marked an era in cycling. Many athletes have highlighted the figure of the Spaniard, who won the first Tour de France for Spain in 1959.
Thus, Alejandro Valverde highlighted “my respect and admiration for Federico Martín Bahamontes, one of the first references in Spanish cycling. I hug family and friends after the loss of one of the best climbers in history. Rest in peace.”
Ex-cyclist Luis Pasamontes reminded the Spaniard. “We will tell young people about you. We will tell them that you went by bike from Toledo to Asturias, to run and that you flew uphill. That you directed the Tour of your house with passion. RIP, you are the eternal history of our sport. Great” .
José Luis López Cerrón, president of the Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC), assured from Glasgow, where he attends the Cycling World Cups, that with Federico Martín Bahamontes “the last historical champion is leaving, a legendary rider. He was the last great champion that we had left, a historic runner with whom I had the closest relationship since I was president of the Federation. Now I remember him when he would go to see me, not so long ago, and he would arrive driving his own car, still 90 years old”.
Also athletes like Abel Antn, marathon world champion, had words of affection towards the figure of Bahamontes. “Today a legend has left us, the first Spanish winner of the Tour de France. A big hug to all the family”.
Real Madrid issued a statement in which it expressed its regret over the death of the Spanish ex-cyclist. “Real Madrid CF, its President and its Board of Directors deeply regret the death of Federico Martín Bahamontes, one of the greatest legends of Spanish cycling and world cycling, and the first Spanish cyclist to win a Tour de France, in 1959 ( …). He has been an example of the values of sport, on which he based his successes”.
Both the Higher Sports Council and the Spanish Olympic Committee praised the figure of Bahamontes. “He is leaving a pioneer, a legend of cycling and of our sport who leaves an indelible legacy and history.”
The acting President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, stressed that the legacy of Bahamontes “will endure on the roads and in our hearts. Thank you for inspiring us to pedal beyond the limits.”
Media from around the world also covered the death of the Spanish runner, including the French newspaper L’Equipe.
The paddler Francisco Cubelos remembered Bahamontes. “Whenever I go to Toledo, I make a mandatory stop by the eagle statue,” he said.
