Colombian conquers 'unholy monster' to win stage from hell

To win the stage that is fought over the cathedral of the Tour de France is to become part of folklore of the event.

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The 24-year-old Colombian caught a breakaway group of six riders on the lower slopes of the fiercest climb of the 2007 Tour, dropped them one by one and then took flight towards the summit.

If he was little known prior to yesterday, riding for Barloworld a small-budget team, it transpires that Soler's naivety in charging up Le Galibier was his secret weapon.

He said: "I didn't know the climbs because it is my first Tour. I attacked like a fool and I couldn't imagine that I would end up winning the stage. It's the best thing to happen in my career and my life."

Soler had only to wait at the finish in Briancon and look at the faces of his pursuers to realise that he had just conquered a mountain that is known as "the unholy monster" and whose stretches of 10 per cent gradient along its 10-mile length break many of those who dare to attack it.

While race leader Michael Rasmussen comfortably retained his yellow jersey, pre-Tour favourite Alexandre Vinokourov cracked physically and emotionally.

"It hurt everywhere today. I did what I could but it was a nightmare day for me," he uttered before breaking down in tears and covering his face.

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It is impossible to exaggerate the sheer scale and barren majesty of Le Galibier. It hoves into view as a verdant valley leading from the homely ski resort of Valloire is left behind.

So imposing is it that the Col du Telegraphe which precedes it, and which itself is a Category One climb full of twists and turns through the trees as it rises 2,700ft in the course of just eight miles, is regarded as little more than a stepping stone.

There are no trees on Le Galibier. The grass which grows there is short, clinging to the slate grey mass of rock. Around one of the few lush patches on a neighbouring hillside, a heart had been painted in yellow paint.

The gesture is significant. Anyone who makes it to the top is feted as a hero.

So remote is it that when it was covered in snow in July 1996, the stage incorporating it was cancelled. Snowploughs and Le Galibier do not mix.

Spectators and Le Galibier certainly do, however. They lined the ascent 10-deep. Thousands ground their way to the summit on their bikes to say that they, too, had conquered the monster.

Unlike the Tour riders, though, Le Galibier was their only climb of the day. For the 171 men who left Val d'Isere and cast their gaze upwards at the start line the day began with an equally muscle-screaming ascent of the treacherous Col de l'Iseran, which at 9,140ft represents the roof of this year's Tour.

No day of this accident-strewn Tour would be complete without a fall guy, however. Typically, given the disastrous nature of their race so far, that man belonged to the T-Mobile team yesterday.

Yet even Marcus Burghardt could not have imagined that he would fly over his handlebars after colliding with a golden labrador.

In spite of braking frantically as the dog strolled across the road in the valley village of Lanslevillard, the German struck the pet in its side.

His front wheel was buckled in half by the impact and while Burghardt and his bike were left in a crumpled heap by the side of the road the dog rolled over, stood up, wagged its tail and walked away back to its owner.

Even the presence of French President Nicolas Sarkozy waving, posing and preening in one of the race cars could not compete with that.