Simpson during the 1967 race - days before his death

Tom Simpson died during the 1967 event, and on Thursday afternoon the race passes by the place where he died.

Many of the riders will pay homage at the memorial which marks the spot.

Mont Ventoux is a magical place for cyclists - but also a tragic one.

Simpson, "Mr Tom" as he came to be known, was the first rider from the UK to make his mark in the tough world of professional European cycling.

Like Boardman, Yates and Millar - plus 1984 King of the Mountains Robert Millar and multiple Tour stage winner Barry Hoban - after him, he broke away from the British scene to successfully chance his arm abroad.

Tom Simpson collapses on the Ventoux

Riding for the top class Peugeot team during the 1960s, he won the world championship road race as well as countless other famous victories.

Sadly he is best remembered for his death - a story which says a lot about the sport itself.

To say Simpson was gutsy is to understate his commitment to the sport - he literally rode until he dropped.

This attitude cost him his life, and is reflected by thousands of other competitors who have put themselves through pain and suffering for Tour glory.

But the tragedy also exposed cycling's dark side.

Simpson had taken amphetamines before attempting the pain and suffering of the Ventoux in 35 degrees celcius heat.

Simpson's memorial is a shrine for cyclists

He was certainly not the only rider to do so that day but he was the most stubborn when it came to his body crying "enough".

Simpson's response was to repeatedly ask to be put back on his bike, despite collapsing and falling from the machine in the searing heat.

What was found inside the dead rider's body awoke cycling's rulers to the drug culture in the sport.

Ever since they have been trying to beat it, with many setbacks along the way.

Simpson was a popular rider in France

But Simpson did not die in vain. Despite the recent controversy over the drug EPO, there is no question that the sport became safer as a result of this sad event.

The dangerous abuse of amphetamines was stamped out, and if this was as a result of the increased use of other drugs then at least the sport has not seen a repeat of Simpson's death.

For all cyclists, and many others, the Simpson memorial has understandably become a shrine.

The peloton will pay its respects at the height of competition on Thursday's stage.