The Col de Menté (elevation 1,349 m (4,426 ft)) is a mountain pass in the central Pyrenees in the department of Haute-Garonne in France.

It is situated on the D44 road between Saint-Béat and the D618 (at the bottom of the Col de Portet d'Aspet) and connects the Ger and Garonne valleys.

Flying through the corners, Merckx lost control and skidded into a low retaining wall at the side of the road.

Ocaña struggled to release his cleats from the toe clips and was struck by the pursuing Joop Zoetemelk.

[7] The following day Merckx refused to wear the yellow jersey in order to pay tribute to Ocaña.