Christian Laborde to present book on Luis Ocaña in Bagnères-de-Bigorre

Author Christian Laborde will present his new book, ‘La chute de Luis Ocaña dans le col de Menté’, at the Maison du vélo ‘Chez Octave’ in Bagnères-de-Bigorre on October 2. Published by Gallimard, the work is a long poem recounting the tragedy of Spanish cyclist Luis Ocaña during the 1971 Tour de France.

The book details Ocaña’s attempt to challenge Eddy Merckx’s dominance. While leading the race and wearing the yellow jersey, Ocaña suffered a severe crash during a storm at the Col de Menté in the Pyrenees. The accident resulted in injuries to his ribs and spine, forcing his withdrawal from the race. Laborde is also scheduled to appear at the Salon du livre Pyrénéen on October 3.