For decades, the name Tom Simpson has echoed through the cycling world like a ghostly whisper carried by the winds of Mont Ventoux. His tragic fall on July 13, 1967, during Stage 13 of the Tour de France, marked one of the darkest moments in the sport’s history. A champion admired for his relentless drive, charismatic personality, and iron determination, Simpson collapsed under the brutal sun and punishing gradient of the mountain — never to rise again. But now, 57 years later, the mystery surrounding his final words has been revealed, and the truth is more heartbreaking than anyone imagined.
Mont Ventoux, often called “The Giant of Provence,” has always been a graveyard for the weak and a proving ground for legends. That day in 1967, temperatures soared to over 40°C (104°F), and Simpson, already weakened from illness and an unforgiving race pace, fought to stay upright. Television footage from the time showed him weaving side to side, disoriented and gaunt, before collapsing a few kilometers from the summit. Medics rushed in, frantically trying to revive him. Despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead shortly after.
Over the years, many stories circulated about what Simpson might have said before he died. Some speculated words of encouragement to his team, others imagined desperate pleas for water or rest. But for decades, those close to the scene never confirmed the details — until now.
In an emotional documentary aired this week by British media, a never-before-seen interview with one of the paramedics who responded to Simpson was released. Aged and tearful, the man finally shared what he heard as he cradled Simpson in his final moments. With a rasp barely audible, Simpson uttered six haunting words: “Put me back on my bike.”
Those words, so simple yet so powerful, encapsulate everything about Simpson’s character and about cycling itself. They weren’t just a dying man’s last plea. They were the desperate cry of a warrior who refused to surrender, even as his body betrayed him. For many modern cyclists — from Tadej PogaÄŤar to Geraint Thomas — these six words have taken on sacred meaning. Within hours of the documentary airing, tributes flooded social media from around the world. Riders, fans, commentators, even rival teams — all shared one common message: respect.
Simpson’s legacy has always been complex. His death brought attention to the pressures riders face, the dangers of pushing beyond limits, and the silent culture of performance enhancement that loomed over the sport in that era. But this revelation gave him back his humanity, peeling away the myths and the headlines to show the raw, emotional core of a man who simply loved his sport to the bitter end.
In response to the story, organizers of the 2025 Tour de France announced they will lay a permanent memorial plaque at the summit of Mont Ventoux this year, engraved with Simpson’s last words. The tribute is set to coincide with the Vuelta a España, in which several British cyclists will ride in Simpson’s memory, wearing black armbands.
Today’s generation may ride lighter bikes, wear smarter gear, and benefit from cutting-edge science. But what binds them to Simpson is something timeless: passion, sacrifice, and the unwillingness to give up — no matter the pain.
The Tour de France has seen countless heroes, but only a few become eternal. Tom Simpson’s six final words ensure he is one of them.
