In road bicycle racing, the ascent to Hautacam is known as a difficult climb, which is used occasionally in the Tour de France.

[4] During the 1996 Tour de France the reign of five time champion Miguel Indurain effectively came to an end when Bjarne Riis launched an attack on Hautacam, claiming the stage victory and putting himself in position to win the Tour which he eventually would.

It was on the climb to Hautacam that Lance Armstrong set up his victory in the 2000 Tour de France, until being disqualified for doping.

In appalling weather, the race arrived at the first mountain stage, with Javier Otxoa the only survivor from an early break.

On the final climb, Armstrong went off alone into the wind and rain leaving his challengers struggling, pushing Jan Ullrich into second place by four minutes.