The thirteenth stage (13 July) of the 1967 Tour measured ; it started in Marseille, crossing Mont Ventoux (the Giant of Provence) before finishing in Carpentras. At dawn, Tour doctor Pierre Dumas met journalist Pierre Chany near his hotel. Dumas noted the warm temperature: If the boys stick their nose in a 'topette' [bag of drugs] today, we could have a death on our hands. At the start line, a journalist noticed Simpson looked tired and ask him if the heat was the problem. Simpson replied, No, it's not the heat, it's the Tour.